| 365 tomorrows, and Then Some * |
[30 Apr 2008|04:11pm] |
It's been just over a year since Things Happened, part 1. While Parts 2-? still have upcoming anti-versaries in May, I thought I'd post where I'm at now.
I don't post here regularly, and I am not going to start again; but, this seemed like a good time to revisit some things. And yes, this is a very "me" oriented post.
In no particular order:
-I am 100% self-employed. I have a career that I love, running (and making a good living at) a business and two halves that are fantastic. First, of course, I am now officially a Personal Chef. As in, I have clients. I love what I do, it makes a difference. Example: I am cooking for an oncology patient (very aggressive cancer), and the food choices I make are part of her treatment. They can make a notable difference in her well-being, and therefore that of her family. It takes some stress off of her already stressful situation, and that makes me feel good. And I get paid for it! I also still have the henna business, of course (which is one "half" of a business since I've ratcheted it down to gigs I feel like taking). And, I now have another "half business":
-I am doing the purchasing, events, and design for a local, very high-end gourmet store's cheese division. What does this mean in layman's terms? I get to go to dairies, taste cheese, buy it and sell it, and create catering plates using other local ingredients from farms I also get to visit. AND I GET PAID FOR THIS! With, in the near future, profit sharing. I am getting paid to eat and talk about cheese. I don't think a more perfect job exists.
-I am in fantastic shape, better than I've been in since probably my early 20's. I am 105 lbs, mostly muscle, with lungs like bellows. Oh, yeah! I am finally, it appears, side effects from the whole MI thing, as is Tiri (no permanent brain or lung damage for her, either, thankfully).
-We've got two National Park trails that we oversee. We got into the group because we hike so much we felt we should give back, and it's also meant meeting a lot of great people. Soon, we were given a trail of our own and then another. Essentially, overseeing is keeping it passable and free of debris. We do the blazing (marks you follow so you don't get lost), blow down removals, trim backs, waste pick up, etc. We get to hike while we volunteer. How cool is that? We're also looking at joining the restoration/construction crew for some of the AT and just-off-AT cabins!
-Our place is amazing. It's got more light than anyplace I've ever lived, with windows *everywhere*! It's a historic building with 12 foot ceilings, archways, and all the little nooks, crannies, and eccentricities one could ask for. It's also very large, with about 1200 sq. ft. of usable living space, including a nicely sized kitchen. We have a balcony, a flowering tree out or (full-sized) dining room window, and my cats love it. I even have my own little home-office space! And, it's really nice to finally not be sick anymore.
-I love who I am: beautiful inside and out, sweet and kind, caring and empathetic, funny, passionate, and gregarious. And, I have self-respect, which often seems in short supply among women these days (a very sad state of things).
-I DO stuff. I spent a week in CA, including several days in Yosemite National Park (oh, the pictures of waterfalls--you're all very lucky you're not here for the slideshow!). We're taking a 3-day canoe trip down my favorite river. I spent Sunday climbing waterfalls (not around them, through and up them), and came home bruised, battered, and very happy. Friday, i am going morel hunting, and this Sunday is a large Hunt Party we're attending with friends. Tall and Lanky is kayaking regularly with a few of the guys down here.
-Tall & Lanky and I are doing great. He continues to make progress in where he is going and what he is doing (that is his story to tell), and it shows more every day. We are more in love than ever, more committed than ever, and the relationship is healthier than ever in so many ways. We do so much together, and it's sometimes startling how much we have in common.
-I've developed more new interests this past year (yeah, I know, like I needed anymore): podcasts and bento being the major new additions. I still read, I am still very active (moreso even) in the slow & local sustainable foods movements, I still love the cheese, etc. I am just time managing better, and picking and choosing.
Life is good. I didn't allow it to be destroyed by others, and I am worth everything it's taken.
*I am sorry, Jared Axelrod, I was inspired specifically by your site and the title just fit so darn well. I'll send you & the lovely Ms. Blackwell cookies!
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