temps

I started a new job about a month ago. I really like it. Mostly because I love the people I work with. I find myself wondering sometimes if I would like the job if it weren't for my co-workers. I might. But isn't it funny how working with people you LOVE makes anything seem better? I could do some horrible horrible things... as long as it was with great people.

Anyway, part of my job is hiring "temps" from a temp agency to complete a project we have going on. I call them all "Ryan" from the beginning until I learn their name. Not out loud. Just in my head. (If you have seen the Office, you understand that... if not, I'm not going to explain. sorry.)

Temps are a funny breed actually. They have some advantages over permanent employees.
For one, they won't be around to clean up their messes.
I also often wonder if they try on new and different personalities at each new job site.
They only really get involved in "temp" issues.

In the past week and a half alone, I have had temps that have alternator problems, birthday days off, low blood sugar, two flat tires, Grandma broke her ankle and had to be rushed to the hospital so I need to be with her, bright pink hair, and now today an apparent hangover.

The staffing agent and I are become close friends. It's great.

You don't hear me complaining. I can take it. Actually, without the temps, it might be boring. I like to stay on my toes!

Second post of the month

Aren't you impressed? I am actually managing to post two times in one month.

My last post was about the random thoughts that I think when I think. (yes, that sentence does too make sense! Reread it.)

I read that last post and the comments and decided to talk some more about my dreams when I am awake. I know... some people call them daydreams. But, I think they are night dreams because I usually do it at night... to make myself fall asleep. My version of counting sheep.

I'm really not a very imaginative person. I think I have to really be focused to dream up stories to tell.... that's why dreaming up things when I'm trying to go to sleep is the perfect time for me. I can be fully focused on the day dream at night. Plus, I have this theory that if I start a scenario while I am awake... I am thinking about it when I fall asleep... and I can continue the fun journey into my real sleep... and hence, control my own dreams. ;) No, I'm not a control freak.

Some of the dreams I have made up when I'm falling asleep are so fun! The standard is "If I win the lottery, I will... " That one started out with a million dollars. What would I do with a million dollars!? Through the years, a million dollars, minus taxes, minus the payoff of the house, minuse sending the kids to college, and a new car = not much. So, I've increased it to 172 million dollars. (Hey! It's MY dream! I can do what I want!) That way, after I do all the necessities... like sending the kids to college and setting up a trust fund, I can do fun stuff... like go buy my mom a new house... and take my whole family on a trip around the world... and support the missionaries in countries all over the world... and move all my friends back to my mansion (in separate wings of course). And hire a butler and a maid and a cook and have a big dining room that we can all eat together all the time... you know, a rich sort of commune.

The lottery dream is funny though... because every time I try to dream it, I always have to start at the beginning, set the number that I win, walk through the things I've paid off, the debt, etc... then start with the basics... I really don't know what I will do after we get our mansion, because I usually fall asleep before that.

Other things I dream about.... travel. I travel to Italy often.... Germany to see Julia....we go on cruises... go to Jamaica. It's all quite fun. Lately, I've been taking the train around Europe once I get there. Sometimes I have a "theme". Like, eating at ONLY local restaurants.... and staying at charming hotels and B&Bs. The thing is ... the dreams get a little sketchy in the travel dept. Mostly because I don't really know what these places look like... and I'm not very good at imagining them at all. So, I have limited pictures in my head available to travel around the entire world. But, it's okay, because I fall asleep sometime before or shortly after I get there.... usually the first day is arrival... and I go to my hotel, eat at a great restaurant, and plan the next day's agenda to see all the sites (which are pretty sketchy too since I don't really know them very well.)

I know... I'm a bit odd. Don't tell me you haven't done it. Anyone have some great ideas on my next dream?

November

Considering the fact that I haven't posted on this blog since the middle of October, I realize this may very well be the only post I write in November. So, I feel like it should be super meaningful and utterly profound.

However, that is rarely the case with me lately. I can think of nothing profound and nothing meaningful. Oh, yes, I heard a great sermon, I've had some fantastic discussions, I've listened to some amazing podcasts lately. But, when I stop... and breathe... and actually THINK. It's usually about the following things... don't judge me.

1. The last time I got my hair colored, I couldn't even tell. I'm wondering how bold a 41 year old can go without looking foolish....
2. To get to sleep at night, I often make up "dreams" in my mind. Sometimes it's how I would spend a million dollars in the lottery.... lately, I've been taking trips to France and then riding the train around to all the beautiful places in Europe that I've always wanted to see...
3. I have a friend who has a recipe for a bread bowl dip.... it's a really delicious creamy cheesy yummyness... that I have been wondering who I can invite over for an excuse to make this warm comforting goodness... and when.
4. What is that pain in my left foot? How long has it been there? Why don't I notice these things sooner?
5. What should I use to cover my climbing rose bush? I don't know whatever possessed me to buy such a finicky plant that takes so much maintenance.
6. I really need to start planning my Thanksgiving dinner. I already bought an 18 pound turkey. I wonder if I should make a few desserts to test before the big day arrives.

it's over

This week, as the temperatures plummeted to freezing, I realized it's over (the growing season). The night before our first frost I ventured to the garden to attempt to get anything and everything I possibly could (not much).

I did manage to salvage about two dozen tomatoes, not ripe yet. So, I put them in the window and let them ripen off the vine.

Today, I decided I'd better do something with them and it is going to be tomato juice! My mom visited last week from sunny Arizona and brought her tomato juice recipe for me, so that's what I'm doing.

Unfortunately, 20 tomatoes doesn't get me a lot of juice. So, instead of canning it, I decided I'd just make chili or goulash for supper tonight. Seems like a lot of work... but I refuse to let anything from my garden go to waste.

This was a good year for some things: spinach, swiss chard, potatoes, lettuce - cool season crops did so well.

Bad year for: tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins - it was just too cold.

Next week it is supposed to warm up, and I'm going to clean out the garden... get every last bit of gunk out of there, maybe burn... and get it ready to plant some garlic next month. Garlic is planted in November around here...

Happy Fall!

fortunes

Fortune cookies from two weeks ago:

Tina's: Traveling to the south will bring you unexpected happiness.

Shawn's: Modify your thinking to handle new situations.

This week, I started a new job and I drive 25 minutes (yes you guessed it south) each morning. My man is having a difficult time with this new schedule... maybe he just needs to modify his thinking. ;)

Autumn

Chrysanthemama is having a fun contest and I hope I win! I love Starbucks coffee... you should check it out on her site here.

I commented about how much I love fall on her site.... so I thought I'd say a bit more.

I love fall.

Love it.

Love Love Love it.

I love the sights of fall: one of the things I am most excited about this year is my awesome pumpkins from our garden. We have about a dozen of them all over the place.. and they are so. cute.

I also love fall food: I can't wait for my first opportunity to settle in for a cool evening with hot soup and some hard crusted bread, followed up by a pan of pumpkin bars oozing with cream cheese frosting and hot coffee with vanilla caramel creamer. mmm mmm good.

And the smell... the cool crisp breeze and fresh air in fall. I love it.

Looking forward to a couple months of my favorite season of all.

all day drive

Shawn and I took the day off today from everything and went for a drive. The seasons are changing and the midwest landscape is starting to show it.

It was a beautiful day. A great time with a great guy.