Mornings

I love the mornings. Especially on mornings that I don't have to do anything right away, or need to be rushing for work. And even more especially in the winter, as I sleepily stumble to the living room, and sit with the cats to the glow of the christmas tree as the sun slowly comes up. I feel my energy rising with the sun, and pull up the laptop and begin indulging in my curiosities. Searching for recipes, pondering mysteries of why my cat howls over her water dish, catching up on news from friends and family. I know these mornings are limited, and soon my mornings will be early and busy and not about me, so I am trying to enjoy every moment of them now.

Today, on this particular morning, I'm getting ready for the feast of GiJackika. Our annual Christmas party. In past years, by 7 am I'm starting cooking and prepping for the evening. But this year, I simplified my menu since I knew my energy, back and feet were not what they were in the past. Yesterday I baked, chopped and marinated, and today I have very little prep to do - purposefully so I won't fall asleep on our guests. This way, I get to enjoy my quiet morning and prepare for our friends calmly. Oh, how I love the morning.

Almost Thanksgiving

Fall is here. A whipping wind and rain blew through during the early hours of the morning, dropping leaves and adding a chill to the air. Yet, as the morning broke, the sun rose and slowly there was a soft glow and mist along everything. It's truly fall, as evidenced by the yellows, oranges and reds that are covering the sidewalks, the grass, and curbs.

Which means only one thing. It's almost thanksgiving. Which means my second favorite holiday is just around the corner. Which means my favorite holiday is not far behind that. Although, while I normally am looking for this time of year to fly by, today I'm hoping it will slow down. Because I want to enjoy this time, and while I'm excited for February, I'm not quite ready yet.

So the broken record of my wants and desires circles around again to wanting to write more. Cook more. Photograph more. Create more. But yet, I sink into the comfort of surfing, cleaning, and reading and loose inspiration. So I dabble in it, write a lame blog post, do some photo edits, and whip up some chili on a cold Sunday. And count the days till Thanksgiving.

Polite, and not so polite, drivers...

There are a few things in the world that bring me pure, innocent, joy. Not just happiness, but a type of joy that is specific to a moment of unsuspecting elation. One of those is watching impolite, jerks get their just rewards for being impolite jerks.

Currently my commute consists of sitting through 5 mph traffic on Rt. 18 while waiting to enter the NJ turnpike. There are those who, rather than wait in the proper lane that will be the lane to enter the turnpike, will drive up the center lane, and at the very last minute, cut into the long line of all of us who have been patiently waiting our turn.

But then, there are those days when the cops are sitting at the entrance to the turnpike, and pull over those who feel entitled to hopping in at the last minute. And since, at that point it's an exit only lane with a solid line, they're effed, and doomed to have a conversation with Mr. Officer.

Just like the stupid people who drove the shoulder of before Finnegans lane.

Ahhhh, joy.

Baby, Life, Me...

According to the calendar, I am just over halfway through my pregnancy. I no longer look like I've just been spending time at the donut table, but actually look pregnant. I can feel Baby Brady kicking, and moving and doing all sorts of ballet. And I am having moments of sheer an utter panic that then morph into an odd calmness and excitment. And then back to panic.

So my days go on, and life goes on. I go to work, and while the dreaded "pregnancy brain" is making me occasionally spacey, I've been pretty good at keeping on top of things. Although I have reached the point of feeling a little overwhelmed with all that needs to be done in preperation for maternity leave. Especially because I'm learning there are some things that come second nature to me, that no-one else in the office can do. I don't mean that in a snobby way, it's just there are some things that I've learned over the years, on the technical side, that others haven't had to do.

Looking at what the next few months (and years) will bring, I'm happy. And determined. Determined to to enjoy it, to find things that are wonderful, joyous and blissful. And to celebrate the ups, downs and inbetweens.

Nesting, or how to annoy the husband...

It's time. Time to start getting the nursery ready. Besides the overwhelming day of registering, and a few things coming into the house, we haven't really been prepping the home life for our little girl. Partially because we've been busy, partially because we've been trying to not get too caught up in the baby and still enjoy each other, but whatever the reason has been, we've been keeping the nesting to a minimum.

Till today. I woke up, the weather was cool, I had a full day ahead of me with no plans other than some work and food shopping, and an urge to get things moving. So by the time the dear husband woke up up, I had drafted our new floor plans, moved furniture and boxes into the living room and had the cats cowering in the corner with the "she's a crazy woman" stare. It's starting to come together, and now with the crib assembled and the bookcases removed, I can actually start envisioning what the room will look like.

And the nesting begins.....