Top 10 recession woes:

1 Dieting is easy because you cannot afford the luxury of Cherry Garcia or Chunky Monkey

2 Two-buck Chuck replaces your favorite fine wine.

3 Top Ramen becomes a dining staple.

4 You begin pricing non-used household items and host a garage sale.

5. Lotion/toothpaste tubes are cut once squeezing no longer works.

6. The nickel and dime treatment is all your gas tank gets.

7 You run out of mini trash can liners (i.e. Vons bags) because you have not shopped for groceries.

8 You have more free time to hit the gym; it's already paid for.

9 It is music to your ears to learn ripped jeans and faded t-shirts are actually in style.

10 You find yourself cavorting in clearance racks in the back of the grocery store for some undiscovered treasure.

BONUS: You find a use for that random can of tomato paste in the back of your cupboard.

Perilous Pandemonium

A fabulous Sunday with my best buddy. Even though we were washing cars, doing laundry and cooking, we enjoyed a day of female bonding together. Our Broncos won (YAY!!) and the Sunday dinner was delish. Today I was reminded how truly blessed I am. Seeing those four smiling faces around my dining room table enjoying a simple Sunday meal, swapping tales, goals and jokes.

Now the weekend comes to a wrap, I am feverishly detailing the week's schedule. The next five days promise a jam packed itinerary of appointments, job interviews, gym workout and an active social life. Hopefully this time next week I will be enjoying a glass of Muscatto on my balcony, watching the sunset, feet propped up. I have my Reebok's pumped up, let the chaos begin....

PERK BABY PERK

Random thoughts for today

What does one do when they are presented several options, all of which they are interested in, but for different reasons? Does one sit down and write out an old fashioned list of pros and cons? Do they follow their heart? Do they try each option out one at a time and weed out the undesirables? Or perhaps cast all options aside and start with a fresh batch? When one attempts to sway with heated rhetoric while the other contains a history within itself, which holds more weight?

I have never been a person to make snap decisions about any issue of importance; in fact I am quite the opposite. I have lost countless hours of sleep over major choices in the thoroughfare of life. I find myself in the position to discard components of my life as a snake sheds his skin, but with this scenario comes an epidemic rebirth of past affiliations, those I am weary about allowing back into my inner psyche. Sometimes the right choice is not the easy one.

What does it mean when the "wrong" choice repeatedly emerges and casts doubt to its standing as the "wrong" choice? Does it ever become the right path? Is repeated evaluation a sign of something that is ultimately meant to be? These are the uncertainties that make my conscience scream at me.

Wake Me Up When September Ends

It's been a week since my gainful employment has not been so gainful and in a word it sucks. I pray to the powers that be that with October there are more than falling leaves and the annual hunt for a last minute costume. I aim to be one of the currently unemployed 12.2 million in Californication to find legitimate wages, perferaby sumplace where I can make a difference in this tainted world. With this endeavor comes a formitable armada of resumes and an overflowing levy of calls. Until then I keep plugging away, looking for work as a needle in the proverbial haystack.

Current blessings are decent health, fabulously smart children, a roof, a full belly (perhaps 2 full) and a new love interest on the horizon, one who is a breath of fresh air-all substance sans the flash. I must admit I anticipate the day we snuggle up seeking warmth and not fighting for the best posible fan coverage on these sweaty autumn nites (it was 103 today uuugh). In any economy, chivalry costs nothing. I have a tight circle of dedicated friends and family, relationhips that have survived the test of time through misunderstandings, relocations, child rearing, marriage, divorce and differences of opinion. These are the people who tell you what you need to hear not what you want to hear. So here are my shout-outs: Nicole and Niko, Eric, Goldie, Nicole S, Chuck, Steve and Zee.

Despite financial setbacks one must never overlook their true fortunes nor have to be reminded of them from the inside of a chinese cookie. The silver lining with fall comes scarves, boots and my favoite accesory-tites. Oh how I love my variety of those ditties. It would be pure fabulosity to don these favorites as I skip off to a job each morning.

And now, I close the laptop, brush the choppers, call for my faithful furry companion and get some shut eye. Soon this lone ranger will be riding with a new posee of coworkers and kicking up dust all over the new frontier.

Calm AFTER the storm

Friday was an armada of activity so when Saturday morning dawned I was rather lethargic and motivated only after 2 doses of espresso. Let me backtrack a bit....

Friday was my best friends' 39th birthday. We started at dinner and made a pit stop at my place to change before heading to the "casino". Little did she know I had a whole birthday party waiting for her at our local dive. The look of surprise was priceless. What memories..... Saturday was pretty much relaxing aka recovering. I was able to spend some time with the new guy I met SL, just chilling listening to music. It was a nice evening, time very well spent. A gentleman by far, some potential for being a keeper. But as the saying says... time will tell. And now it's Sunday. MY Broncos won and the Chargers LOST YAY!!!! Sorry Boltz fans. My evening consists of kid-mom time, a hot chamomile tea and another good night's sleep.... Tomorrow begins the job search once again.

"Takes a licking and keeps on ticking."

Becomming the master of one's own fate can be challenging, distressing and cause an avalanche of uncertainty. Hoping an emotional investment will pay off, praying for patience. Crossing your fingers that you won't regret your final decision. If you do find that 20/20 hindsight, that there is wiggle room to fine tune the situation to becomming a positive choice in the long run. The price to pay can cause a heavy heart but a wise and circumspect individual will assess all factors.

I now find myself in the triage phase of life, trying to find my momentum again and get resestablished in the job market. Regretfully, I had to decline the promotion with my company and resign all together. A tough decision that affected my sleep for days on end. In the end, the other priorities in my life had to be put back in their top ranking slot. Although I am a bit knocked off course, I will persevere and rise above it.

For now, I shall salvage the weekend, as it is my best friend's birthday and she truly deserves a stress free, celebratory night. I remind myself that I am blessed to have so many irreplaceable people in my life and remove my name from the guestlist at this pity party. Monday morning, the job search begins full throttle and this too, shall pass.

Technicolor

Today was a tough day. My emotional traveling took me all over the map. By 4:30 I was screaming "Mayday!" and heading home with a heavy heart. This economy is surely taking its toll on yours truly and I would be my last dollar there are many more individuals in my same situation. Indeed it is a Hard Knock Life.

I find myself having second thoughts about the new promotion offered to me in the corporate office of my company. On one hand I need to be home, caring for my children. On the other hand, I have bill collectors kissing my bumper daily and a son about to start college in 11 months.

I have been counseled on this matter and offered financial assistance until I obtain new employment in San Diego, which to most would seem to be a prayer answered, problem solved. But for myself, I treasure independence and self sufficiency and the cost of this help is a huge helping of humble pie ala mode. It's gut check time, kids.

The nice thing about today was coming home, being able to provide groceries for my kids, gas in my car and a bottle of two-buck-chuck for moi. As I start sipping my happy juice, I take a step back from the emotion of the day and enjoy a long standing, but forgotten treasure: coloring with my daughter. Life is like a box of crayons-some days you get broken wax and other days you get perfect hues.

TACOS Y MEMORIAS

As I was rushing out to start my week the cheerful voice belonging to one of my favorite people in the world was on my phone. Hopefully by this time next week my tushie will be up in Los Angleeeezie and we will be reunited back in the same office! You have always been the voice of reason and sanity in the workplace, I hope to reply in kind once I am up there. I have to say, I look forward to sharing a glass (ok, let's be real here.... a bottle) of wine with you and "the boy" in the very near future, I am crossing off days on the calendar with much anticipation! In the spirit of you, I made tacos tonight, even though.... "IT'S NEVER ABOUT THE TACOS!!!!" A Nickism for life......

p.s. the Labia situation has been resolved, all is well in the land of the family "Jewels" tehehe

Weekend Sumarized

What a weekend! Friday was serene at the homestead. Some cherished quality time with the little lovebug herself, my daughter. Saturday morning arrived with a fabulous ride around my favorite island with the same little lovebug. From there on out, the weekend was a blurr of activity. Saturday night was a party at the Chico Club for A's birthday. Sunday morning dawned and the preparations began for the Labor Day fiesta. Nacho dip made, chairs washed off, cooler filled. Although the entire crew was female, save one very sweet FWB, we had a glorious afternoon. There were tarot cards read, dominoes played and billiards galore. Oh... and one MUST love the lime jello shots. :) Female bonding at it's utmost! I am blessed to have such a wonderful, eclectic group of chics in my life! Thanks for coming ladies!

p.s. The only thing better than lime jello shots is leftover bbq chicken with all the fixin's

Maintaining Generational Integrity

A beautiful day, save for a brief visit with a dear friend needing consolation. Other than this, the day was spent tackling mundane errands, getting a manicure and spa pedicure while endulging in a mocha frapp. The evening began with a rather thrilling men's water polo match, the Varsity vs. Alumni, in which the Varsity got their asses delvered to them on a silver platter. All in good humored fun. After the team handshakes were exchanged, my son went to dinner with a friend and his parents, while my daughter and I shared chicken salads at Rubio's followed by some spur of the moment shoe shopping. It was my lucky day because I found the most comfy, cute white heels, perfect for the new promotion and the dress code it entails. And now.. home watching the musical Annie (my favorite of all time) with my daughter. Memories of my own childhood being pased down to my own daughter. What a lovely start to a holiday weekend.

And now...... The sun will come out, tomorrow........

ANOTHER DAY IN "PARADISE"

7:30 woke up late, 30 minutes to be exact

8:15 arrived to work. HOT and flustered annoyed to see the haunt of yesterday's face

12:00 car refused to start. Great. 100 degrees and no jumper cables.

4:30 top ranking guy on my list arrives to jump me, NO PUN INTENDED

5:00 on the road again like Willie Nelson

5:30 AutoZone unable to find my warrenty info in computer, again car will not start to get home

6:00 dinner made, kids fed, receipt found

6:30 3rd jump start of the day and I headed back to AutoZone

7:00 new battery installed, cute boy met

7:30 back home, Mocha Frapaccino in hand

8:00 cooled off from icey shower, Frap in hand, snuggly bed calling me.....

10:00 ATL Housewives comes on, should I still be awake.

So glad it is a FOUR day weekend!!!!

Hace Muy Caliente

OK is anyone else just plain sick and tired of this freekin heat? Personally I am aggro beyond words at the most minute of things. Smart mouth people, idiot drivers and a pleathora of other oddities that seem to occur when the barometer rises. The little miss thing who tried to get out of pocket with me this morning was within inches of getting chin checked. I was having a "meet me at the monkey bars" moment. I seriously would have kicked her young ass back into reality.

By 4 pm I was home in an icy cold, spearmint eucalyptis aroma therapy bath, drinking a stiff strawberry martini, neat, followed by the most beautiful afternoon nap. Ahhhhhh..... and now, with a full belly (It was family dinner night, thank you Fuddruckers) I have taken a second splash with my rubber ducky to cool off again (yes, it is that hot) and am happily imbbing in another 'Tini, giggling at the stupidity of the contestants on "Wipeout." Tomorrow brings the last day on my current work schedule and I think I can make it through 8 hours to get to a much-deserved 4 day weekend. And what a jam packed weekend it is planned to be. (I am hanging my halo in the closet and bringing out my devil horns for a few days... details to follow... maybe......)