Oh, Happy Day!

So, after four months of driving my mother's truck (thanks mom!), I finally purchased a car today! That's a big weight off my shoulders. No more stress about borrowing someone else's vehicle, or worrying about it getting damaged, or scheduling problems, or just the uncomfortable feeling of not driving one's own car. Now my only worry is making that car payment.

Speaking of that car payment, that brings up another topic. Thriftiness. For the first time in a while, I will be watching my pennies closely. But that only makes me more crafty. Tonight, for example, is a foodie delight dinner with ingredients I had in the apartment. Bourbon marinated salmon with bacon in a roasted onion maple glaze. Yummy and cheap!

Perspective

So, I had a rough day today. Didn't sleep well, got yelled at by the boss, and hit a traffic jam on the way home, after I was thoroughly exhausted. So I was pretty aggravated. Then I realized, it wasn't these little, inconsequential things that were really bothering me. Instead, it was the big things. The fact that I've been driving my mother's car for three months because I can't afford a new one of my own, or the friendship that may or may not be over, I just don't know, or the fact that my grandfather has stage three lung cancer. Those were the things really bothering me. But I let the stupid stuff drive me over the edge.

And it occurred to me that everyone is like that. The rude customer at work may be dealing with the death of a loved one, and the guy that cuts you off in traffic might be rushing to pick up his sick kid. It's all perspective. So I'm sorry to anyone I might have pushed over the edge today with my stupid, silly actions. And I hope that things get better for you. We all need a little more good karma.

Punk-in

One day off after days of work. October is a hard month. Trying to decide what to do on this only day off and all I really want to do is lay in bed and listen to Ryan Adams. But should get motivated. I believe my motivation today will come from pumpkin. After years of being a pumpkin hater, I have recently become a pumpkin lover. Pumpkin donuts, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin roll and pumpkin scones. I have partaken of all of them in the last two weeks. But there are a few more pumpkin treats on my list. A pumpkin spice latte, a pumpkin pie blizzard, and of course, a pumpkin beer. I love pumpkin beers, but one of my favorite things to do is make pumpkin bombs.

Pumpkin Bombs
For this one, you need a shot glass and a pint glass. Similar to a car bomb, you are just going to change a few ingredients. Fill your pint glass about halfway up with your favorite pumpkin brew. In the shot glass, you need half Goldschlager and half Baileys. Drop the shot glass in the pint glass and voila, pumpkin pie in a glass!

Only happy when it rains...

Early Saturday rainy morning. All the windows are open, because of the beautiful weather, so we have that fresh rain smell and that touch of damp cool in the apartment. The little town is quiet this time of day. A few cars on the main drag and I can hear the coffee shop downstairs getting started for the day. Makes me want a latte. Watching the rain make puddles on the roof of the downstairs porch, just outside of my window. Wish the old fashioned street lights that line my cobblestone alley were still on, they make the best reflections in the puddles. Reflection is good.

Walking the dog

Fantastic day in my little town! The beautiful weather encouraged me to take a nice long stroll with my puppy. So many great things to explore! There was a little farmers market where I picked up some vegetables and honey. At the specialty market I picked up some kalamata olive cheese, which I'm really excited to use. And then for bloody mary's at the outside deck bar that my roommate bartends at. Thought about hitting the wine/beer shop or having a cheese plate at the French restaurant, but ended up back home to take a much needed nap. There's something pretty special about living in this "quaint" little town.

Fall-ing in love

Ahhhh, this is true hipster weather! The first cool weekend in months. Here in FL, anything under 72 is considered cool. Windows are open, and I am thinking about all my cool weather clothes. Sweaters, hats, and of course, my scarves! Oh, my beautiful scarves! They've been hanging in the closet, abandoned, sad and depressed, patiently waiting for the day when they can return to society. The day they can flaunt their beauty for all to see, like some aging southern belle. My scarves are the best accessory and the easiest way to dress up an outfit. Just a pair of jeans and a white tshirt can be transformed by a single scrap of material. I feel so finished in them. And very cool. And isn't it always about being cool?