Author: Distracted Damsel

Ever have a week where every night you have something going on? Whether its work stuff, fun stuff or just plain stuff? Lol. Well this last week from Wednesday all the way thru til last night, I have had something different every night. I will admit that I am worn out from “all the things” but each one was enjoyable and new in its own way. The time seemed to go by just steady because I was really just trying to be present in what I was doing.

Wednesday: The week has finally arrived. My boss’s goodbye/going away party was the start. We planned to meet at the bar for happy hour, what better way to start a new career, right? Complete with balloons, drinks and cupcakes. Managers and sales reps from the district came to celebrate her moving on to a better company/position. It was good to have so many people show up and truly be happy for her. The A-team was left at the end and we had some laughs and hugs. I really am going to miss my boss but I know we will keep in touch.

Thursday: Don’t know where any of you are at in your love life but I am mixing mine up with a little dating here and there. Can I just say it can be pretty fun going out to new places and just talking with someone? I met up with my date and we went to check out a Japanese noodle restaurant. My favorite appetizer is Gyoza, which are fried dumplings filled with minced pork and veggies. The main dish was Yakisoba, which is basically a fried noodle dish with meat and veggies.

Don’t judge me for the fried food. I work it off lol. We had great conversation and he gets brownie points for being able to quote one of my favorite random movies (Robin Hood: Men in tights just in case you were wondering). We skipped dessert and opted for a movie afterwards.

Friday: Weenights and weekends are for side hustles. Every now and again I have an old client call me for a Color Consultation where I go to a home and help choose paint colors for exterior or interior repaints. Sure sounds easy but it does take skill because lighting, surroundings, and flooring all affect the colors. This particular call back was for a high rise condo remodel. They loved the colors that we selected for their home and now they are downsizing. Barbara and I spent 2 hours selecting a base color, determining accent walls and accent colors. It’s fun for me since every house is unique and owners have so many different tastes. I’m still working on the final write up but I left with a bottle of wine, a check and a promise for more work in the near future. 

Saturday: I had a reason to go out shopping. A garden 10 year anniversary party for my good friend Ashlee and her husband. They always throw the best parties, even had a Cinco De Derby party one year when the Kentucky Derby fell on May 5th. Anyway, I had to go out to get them something “tin” for their “Tin anniversary”. I found a tin plant stand that was perfect since Ashlee has the biggest green thumb and has a jungle growing. Added a card that said “to keep the love growing”. I also had to go out and get a dress. I got lucky at every store, found the dress, shoes and other accessories in less than 2 hours. Winning! Party started at 6 with a taco guy, charcuterie board and drinks. Ashlee was surprised to renew their vows. The DJ turned it up and we danced and partied the night away.

Sunday: I was on a streak for dates lol. This time we went out for a double date. Don’t think I have had one of those in years. I managed to score us 4 tickets to the Blueman Group at the Luxor on the strip. The show was fantastic, full of comedic skits and of course percussion. Who knew blue painted drummers could show so many emotions without words? And the beats! I am that band nerd, my favorite part is the drum line! If you can see a show like this or like STOMP, they are worth it. Just watch out if you are sensitive to loud music or strobe lights. It got very rave like up in there 🙂

And last but not least Monday: I kept it real simple. Movie night with my nephew. While his mom is out doing errands or ubering, we hang. We get some movie candy and popcorn, turn on Disney+ and pick a movie. This weeks showing was Wreck It Ralph: Ralph Breaks the Internet. It’s another one of those that has adult humor written in. It’s the best. Ralph and Vanelope enter the internet to find a replacement part for her video game and chaos ensues. No spoilers here but I would recommend. 

I’m sitting here typing this up and dreaming of my bed. I have nothing planned this week except a charity house painting, thru Sherwin Williams on Saturday. We are refreshing a veterans house as a community project. Most likely that will be my next post. Don’t know what your week holds but if you have some variety like me I know it wont be boring. Got any ideas for me?

Oh man have I been busy lately. Work, home, and a mini vacation have me distracted the last two weeks. I do apologize for not getting a break to clue you in but I finally have a quiet house and an hour to spare. Last week, I got to get out of town and spend quality time with my dad and my friend Amanda who lives in Colorado. Denver is a quick flight away from Vegas and It was so necessary.

Denver is a beautiful city. It has so many things to do, places to eat, and sports teams to root for. I spent some of my trip with my Dad. We went to see the Colorado Avalanche play on night and we checked out Larimer St for food and drinks. A place called Ted’s Montana Grill has the best bison burgers and killer fresh made strawberry shortcake, just delicious. But that is all the big city stuff. When my friend Amanda picked me up we got to the small town life.

We got to spend the day in Boulder Colorado. Its a town about 30 minutes north of Denver. It is nestled in the Rocky Mountains and is home to the University of Colorado Boulder. We didn’t do any more research than that but we headed up that way to check out their historic main street and a hard cider brewery.

Lets start with Pearl St. The entire street is considered a pedestrian mall. There are shops, restaurants, live performances, music, art galleries, even little areas for children to play. It has always been a busy street, since the gold digging days but it has been changed and restored, new store fronts, more beautifying and new business. The link below is from the Boulder Colorado website. Interesting info on how its morphed over the years.

https://boulderdowntown.com/visit/history-of-pearl-street

Amanda and I set out to explore as many stores as possible. We did find some good ones. There was a spice and herb shop that we got to sample different seasonings. Her favorite was the smoked steak rub and I found a pizza seasoning that I liked. They sold every spice you could think of, blends for marinating, bitters and even chip dips. Two doors down there was a chic boho store, with all kinds of jewelry, purses, and clothing. Then we came across this little gem.

Three floors of glorious books, knickknacks, stickers, t-shirts etc. I am that girl that will spend all day, reading cover after cover of books and just enjoying the slow pace of the store. It was voted best bookstore in 2018, if I am remembering correctly. I had to buy one to read while enjoying the beautiful weather and people watching. Did I mention the flowers and trees that line the street.

I love tulips in the spring. And the people watching. We had to take a little break. Amanda was/is recovering from a broken leg. Colorado winter got her and she slipped and broke it. We even found a place to ease her pain and kick our feet up. The Savannah Bee Company, a honey and honey mead store. We got a little sampler.

We had our detour and decided to go check out one more place. If you are new to Colorado, it is known for its breweries. The Google search says that there are over 400 established breweries in Colorado. We had done a bit of drinking the night before so instead of a beer brewery we looked up a hard cider brewery. And I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the selections. Of course we had to do a sampler. This one is BOCO Cider.

We were only in Boulder for maybe 6 to 8 hours. But the slow laid back pace, the weather and the draw of spring really had us enjoying the time together. The city has so much to offer but the environment of small towns is so amazing. Its quiet, and peaceful. Doesnt seem to rush by. I have been to many all over this country on family trips. I have really fond memories and can only imagine making more.

I got a break from reality in this small Colorado city. Im waiting to hear back from my interviews and things are going to be moving pretty quickly come Monday. As if they havent been, lol. But Ive got a few things coming up I am definitely going to be sharing with you. Fun things, new things, new job, fingers crossed. Hope you can get out into a main street soon and get a break from your reality. Trust me it is 100% worth it!

What do you do when the days start getting warmer and nicer? Obviously you take things outdoors, light the grill and eat. I was able to add some grilling into this weekend. Grab a few friends, a few cold drinks, your meat of choice and go for it. For those of you that might not be pros around the grill, I am going to share a few tips and tricks. A few things that I think you should know and a few things I have learned along the way.

Everyone has their own grilling style and preference. I prefer to use a gas grill or a charcoal grill but there are other options based on meat selection and preparation. Cheating on this one but here are some examples. The fuel or pellet types can have different aromas such as hickory or applewood, adding to the flavor of the meats.

There are a couple of things that one must have at hand when grilling. I do recommend getting out your favorite ”look who’s cooking” apron just for flare, but I digress. The basics are cooking spray, a grill brush, a spatula, tongs, a meat thermometer and for some a spray bottle. You always want to start with a clean grate and to prevent meats from sticking or burning on the hot surface you can prep with cooking spray. It will burn off a bit but it makes for an easier clean up. Depending on your type of grill there may be open flames and the spray bottle can help get any back under control in a pinch.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can grill. Bet you didnt know you can cook and entire meal from main course to sides, breads and desserts if you have the creativity and the right tools. A simple example is a meal with chicken for the main dish, grill baked potatoes and grilled veggies, skillet cornbread, and skillet cobbler. I could go on for days with combos but instead I am going to list a few Youtube links to give you some delicious ideas. If you are ever stuck, the internet will provide.

You will figure things out as you experiment more and try new options but I will give you some helpful tips. I cant say that these will blow your mind because they are so new and crazy. They might not be anything you haven’t heard before. But a quick refresher never hurt any body.

1. Always monitor your grill temperature, your internal meat temperature and your open flames. It is easy to get distracted and heat can build quickly. This and be dangerous but mainly it will burn whatever it is you are trying to enjoy. Few people like burnt as a flavor.
2. When it comes to meats, know what your internal temperature should be or approximately how long you should be cooking each piece on each side. Keep in mind that some meats also have a rest time to keep in juices before they are cut and served.
3. Dont over do it on the turning or flipping. Burgers if not prepared right and over-flipped can fall apart. Chops and steaks really only need to be flipped 2–4 times. I know you have all seen those perfectly crisscrossed grill marks. Keep that in mind.
4. Woks, grill baskets, potato racks are your friends. They keep those smaller veggies from slipping into the flames. If your gill has an elevate rack, you can use it to your advantage for the faster cooking items also or so that the flames are not directly on your veggies if you dont prefer char.
5. Marinaded meat is best if left for 2-4 hours. Some meats can even be prepped 24 hrs in advance depending on the cut and size of the piece.
6. If you enjoy a good kabob or corn on the cobb you want to soak them before you cook. Soaking the kabob skewers keeps them from burning on the grill. Soaking corn in their husks keeps in the sweetness.
7. Dont be afraid of flavor. Basting with butter and herbs, salting, spices. If you are adding spices, add them right before you remove the meat from the grill so you know for sure its seasoned

I think that is really all I have for you. All that is left is to hit the stores and grab what tickles your fancy. Invite your family, maybe turn on some good music, and lite those flames. Be careful and have a good time and good eats.

It’s Tuesday and I am already thinking about the weekend. Well thinking about what I am going to explore. Spring fever is definitely a real thing. The sun comes out, the days get longer, flowers and trees are blooming. I do feel for anyone who suffers with allergies but I hope maybe you can enjoy from a distance.

I live in Las Vegas, and other than the twinkling lights you might think there isn’t much out here than dirt and tumbleweeds. John Wayne movies, Bonanza, train bandits and robbers all in a big dust bowl. You get the picture. Doesn’t scream, you must see tourist attractions. But at this time of year, it really does come to life, in the literal sense.

This weekend I am going to take a little drive north of the strip and go check out the blooms in Death Valley California. It’s only about 2.5 hours so it’s a nice little road trip out of town. I highly recommend road-trips as often as you can take them, solo or with friends. This time I am going to be flying solo simply because I need to find a bit of calm, a bit of center before I make some important decisions.

Anyway, in case you haven’t heard of it, or know much about it, here are some fun facts. Death Valley is the lowest point in North America and it is also the hottest place on earth. Just a warm and toasty temp of 134 degrees is the record high in July of 1913. Furnace creek pictured below is where that high was recorded.

Not this year, but some years when the rains and the winters are right, the park hosts a superbloom. You can see hillsides full of gold, purple, pink and white flowers. Overall Death Valley has over 1000 different types of plants and wildflowers. Cacti are actually really beautiful in full bloom.

It is a historical park and does, like most western locations, have a silver and gold strike story. There were silver mines in the surrounding areas. But for this park the mines arent the cool site to check out. The Wildrose Charcoal Kilns are. They look like giant stone beehives but were structures to provide fuel built by Hispaniic and Chinese workers. 

There is more to this desert park than meets the eye. Mysterious moving rocks, the darkest night skies in the country, a crater, even movie sets. I can’t show them all and I won’t be seeing them all when I go this weekend, but I hope I might have sparked a bit of wanderlust for you readers. Or maybe a curiosity for what wonders might be within a 2 hour drive of wherever you are. Its that feeling of needing to see something new, needing to be in the sunshine, getting back to our basic natural desires. Go explore!

You ever just wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Or maybe just not ready to face the day? It happens to me every once in a while. Sometimes we just arent in the mood to people or adult. Am I right?

Well I have been thinking about music and how it can literally set the stage. The Oscar’s have a score for every event, every award. Tv shows have crazy intros that you hear and prepare for the show. Star athletes have pump up music or build ups when they enter the arena. I may not be a super star but why shouldn’t I feel like one going into my day. We are all uniquely special and we deserve to start our day feeling like we can conquer the world.

I haven’t exactly found my personal version yet but I have asked a couple of my girl friends for theirs. I have also looked up some of what the internet says are good hype songs for woman. I haven’t been disappointed so far in what I have found.

My nurse friend gave me this one. White Flag by Joseph. Favorite lyrics in the song are “They say ‘you better give up, you’d better give up” I’ll say I’ll never give up, I’ll never give up” Ill be an army, no you’re not gonna stop me getting through”. Don’t let anyone ever tell you to give up on yourself or your dreams. It goes on to say burn the white flag. Meaning never surrender!!

I think we all have that one friend who is one with the universe. My yoga girl sent me Pretty Girl Magic by Moonlight Scorpio. I have watched this friend grow immensely over the last two years. She has put herself first, gone after what she has wanted and is manifesting her dreams. The lyrics that stood out in this one are “Let go of what hurt me, the things that no longer serve me”. It goes on to say “from my past I continue to rise , I know that everything is going to turn out just fine. I just ask the universe and the universe supplies.”  I don’t always believe in the universe but I doo believe that our past can affect our future if we hold on to it too long. Learn from the past and start believing in yourself.

And last but not least, the good old internet search. I came across a list called 53 Empowerment Songs for Women. Brave by Sara Bareillas, Fighter by Christina Aguilera, Confident by Demi Lovato, just to name a couple. But one I didn’t know was Most Girls by Hailee Steinfeld.

Lyrics “You know some days you feel so good in your own skin, but its ok if you wanna change the body that you came in. Cuz you look the greatest when you feel like a damn queen, we are all just playing a game in a way, tryna win at life”  Goes on to say “Most girls are smart and strong and beautiful. Most girls work hard, go Farr, we are unstoppable. Most girls, our fight to make every day, no two are the same.”

I want to be like most girls. Everyday is a battle, if not in the actual world but even in our own minds. We can change so many things about us from our hair to the shape of our bodies, to how we feel about where we are in life. We have to choose to be unstoppable and go for the things we want. I want to be unstoppable. I want the universe to be on my side and I want to never back down!

These songs may not be your thing, they might have not struck home for you like they did for me. And I am still looking for the one song that has all the words in my head expressed in lyrics and rhythm. But I am creating a play list to get me out of my funk on those mornings where getting up just doesn’t sound appealing. Creating the playlist that gets me excited, feeling powerful, inspired, motivated. I challenge you to go out there and find your own version of hype!!

Gotta have faith in yourself and faith that things will work out for the best. And trust me I still struggle with this, probably always will. But here we go anyway. This week and today have been nothing but unanswered questions for me. Its got me running around like Jim Carrey’s version of the Riddler complete with distracting bat bombs. If you can’t conjure that image I recommend watching Batman Forever, for a bit of fun 90’s cheesy action. Tommy Lee Jones is also a character. But I digress.

Spark note version of what has been going on. I reached out to my old district manager, sent him my updated resume, and asked if his new company could use my skills in any open positions. Took him less than 20 minutes to email me back that his hr person would be reaching out, less than a day for an interview and they wanted a decision by the following friday. Which just happens to be tomorrow. 

Sounds great right? Based on my resume they discussed with me an outside sales rep position. Inside and showroom sales I could literally do in my sleep but to be completely transparent I have never had to go out to find new clients/business in a sales goal type of position. It intimidates me. Also the position was in Eugene, Oregon, I currently reside in Las Vegas NV. Moving to a new place and negotiating a salary is all new to me as well. 

If you are wondering where the faith part comes in, I’m getting there. I immediately started second guessing my ability to do the job and that negative voice started talking. “You don’t have the experience, you can’t ask for that much, what if you get there and it doesn’t work out?.” It took a weekend for me to process everything I was thinking and feeling but Monday it hit me while I was doing my samples at work. I have never gone into any job knowing exactly what to do but I have come out successful on the other side. I know what you are thinking, that obviously training is for every new job. 100% truth. But what I forgot as I was weighing my options is that I have always known I can do it and I am going places.

For a brief few days, I forgot that I have faith in me and know I am capable. In every job I have started, I have had to learn new things. In each job, up to this point I have exceeded my and others expectations. Will I have to learn how to go into new companies and sell products, sure. But do I know how to build relationships with customers? I already do that. Can I design a job, calculate materials, place orders? Yep, might not know the new products but I have sold furniture, flooring and even kitchens before. And if that isn’t enough to believe in me it never hurts to get a few build ups from people you trust.

Of course I discussed the options with my current boss, a coworker who works with me daily, and even from a friend I don’t talk with all that much. All three of them gave me the same feedback. They have seen how friendly and patiently I work with clients, they have seen that I care to help people as much as I can and that is what makes a great salesperson. Talking with them and hearing their opinion of me really opened my eyes to the negative self talk I mentioned. I have to have more faith, more confidence in my skills. They shouldn’t be more sure or confident in me than I am.

The position details are yet to be clarified and hammered out. There are multiple rep positions and inside sales positions open and to be considered. Oregon, Utah and possibly one coming open here in Las Vegas in a few weeks. I am meeting with a local rep tomorrow to see how the positions really work, the ins and outs. I will have a better idea of what is for me after our talk. But I do know that whichever position I should choose, and wherever I end up I can and will make it work like I have before.

Every job I have had, every skill I have learned, even every connection I have made has led to this point. I came back to Sherwin because I kept in touch with my old manager/friend and she saw an opening for me. I dont mean to sound like I am bragging but I took what started as an idea of a department, to a sample making, smoothly running machine. Because of that, I left an impression on my district manager, he was willing to give me a chance and now things are rolling. Quickly I might add. I have faith that the next steps will continue to move me forward and this is only the beginning. I am putting my success out there into the universe and having faith that I can reach my goals. 

Remember the things you have done or came thru. Use those to believe in you and your future self!!

This one is going to be super short because I have 100% been distracted this entire week. I believe that the universe can bring us opportunities, give us choices. The thing is that you have to be willing to listen and say yes. Two things happened over the last week that I have said yes to and that have started a slow but chain reaction.

A coworker of mine, a friend, has been asking me to go to the bar for a few months. Just for drinks after work. Well last week, instead of the normal invite, Ed asked if I would like to meet one of his buddies. I am skeptical when people try to set me up just because I have a hard time letting people in and feel like its hard to get to know me. But this time I wanted to be out on a Friday night, I wanted the opportunity to meet someone new.

Well, the buddy and I did not make a love connection for sure. It was hard for us to find something to talk about. It didn’t really seem like either of us were interested. We did a few shots to enjoy the Knights game and said goodbyes. So where is the chain reaction, you ask? That date wasn’t it. But it did give me just enough of push to get back into things. I had a conversation with my girlfriends and I have another date planned for this weekend. And we have a brunch planned to mingle after that.

The second yes opportunity is work related. I mentioned that I have a resume ready and that things at work have been shifting. My boss and I have a good relationship and the company that she is moving forward with has other positions available. She told me that I should send my resume to the sales manager. It is a large, tile company, with multiple showrooms and I have a design background and tons of showroom experience. I said yes, please send me the info and now I have a video interview already scheduled. This could be the change up that I am looking for.

Some yesses will be small. Someone could offer you a bite of their food and you find a new favorite. Or maybe you get invited to a dance class, really enjoy it and find a new hobby. You could be asked to take a training course at work and that leads to a promotion. My point is give things a chance. One little step in the right direction can take you down some exciting new paths.

Guys it is about that time of year when things start to warm up, the days start to get longer, and fun begins. Today, even though there are chores to be done, I took a few hours with my sister to have some fun. We did some errands too but overall it was mostly just to enjoy the sunshine and the company.

I’m sort of getting back into my canning hobby. It started with my Meme, she would always tell me that she couldn’t find a good pepper jelly at the stores. One night I just decided to look up a recipe and make some. I didn’t realize it would be something I enjoyed. I have a few flavors now, a name for it, and even labels.  Spring and fruit seasons are coming up so Liz and I took a stroll thru our local farmers market. It is still a bit small and early so there were just a few booths that we hit. This isn’t a picture of ours, but I forgot to snap one. Oops 😊

I wanted to go down and see if there were any booths that sold jelly like I plan on doing. Fortunately, at this moment in time there was only one booth that had jams but nothing spicy like I plan to sell. Doing some recon, we talked to several vendors, asked them how they market their products, sample their products. I still have to find out the cost to get a space but I think with everything I have now I can start to cook up some inventory and get to selling. Spring farmers markets here I come. I will have a post on my day of canning soon but one step at a time.

We also wandered into a few craft stores, dollar stores, and thrift stores. The objective was to find a few decorations for a St Patrick’s Day diner we are going to host and a store display I am creating for work. We are going to invite about 6 of our close friends over to enjoy Shepherds pie, an Irish dessert, and of course Irish whiskey. Its not complete without some glittery, cheesy head pieces, you know the kind and some table decorations and banners.

We moved on to the store display I am working on. Twice a year Sherwin Williams has a Blue Bucket Sale and all the stores have to make a display. What started out as an idea to tease the reps by putting their faces on the bucket heads has now morphed into the Blues Brothers. So we picked up some shades and fedoras, a few party streamers to give it that dive bar/bad prom background and we are ready to go. Liz and I can rock the look, think so?

We finished up our morning at the grocery store but I could not leave without getting something colorful for the house. The fresh flowers really truly just make my day. And why not? But I am not a selfish person. I had to share them with the world. If you haven’t made an Instagram reel, I recommend that you try it. Its fun to find the perfect audio clip and dance around or pretend the words are yours. Make jokes about life at work etc. My audio is saying that I am addicted to the flowers. I haven’t figured it out yet how to link my Instagram to the blog but when I do you will have more to see of my unique personality.

Weekends often go by way quicker than we want. I am back in my house, cleaning, getting my lunches and clothes ready for the week. To close out this lovely day I am going to turn on the new episode of Outlander (a favorite) and bake some cupcakes for the bunch at work. Mondays are always better when there are tasty treats. If you haven’t had a Sunday funday it isn’t too late. Get out there with a friend and enjoy the weather if you can 😊

This last week I have been all over the place trying to come up with something to give you guys. Topics have come up but nothing so complete that it would be a solid post. Overall, my week was full and busy so that when the weekend got here I could go see a friend in Chicago. Busy, though it makes time fly by, can have some side effects. I started off a bit bumpy and ass you will see it came full circle. But I had some takeaways.

Trust what you have learned, and don’t fear the future.

Don’t you wish we could see just a little bit into the future? Maybe find out if your debt is gone or you meet someone special? Or for me just to see what my next career move is. There are big changes coming at my job. Specifically, my boss will soon be leaving and it is no secret that when she does, I will be leaving too. I took my current position as part time to fill a gap, after leaving a job I thought was the one. I have stayed for 2 years thru all of Covid (thankfully remaining normal), and thru short staff/high demands, currently full time. At points, I did want to walk right out but because of my awesome manager, and not wanting to leave her high and dry I have remained.

I am not one to jump ship before I have a plan in mind. These last two jobs have been a blessing and a curse because I have learned so much and have gained experience. The curse part being that I realize even though I like the design aspect of things, I do not enjoy retail and the same in-office routines.  I could go into management from where I am at but my creative mind needs a different environment and something worth it to me. From the name and description of this blog, you can tell I bounce around just a bit. I may not know the specific job I am looking for next but as I reread over my freshly updated resume, I realize I am more qualified and capable than I think. Your accomplishments up till now can really help you to believe in yourself for the future.

Travel bumps happen, but who are you on vacation?

My trip to Chicago for sure had some bumps. Lets start with the red eye flight that boarded then un boarded for lack of a pilot. Which lead to a rescheduled flight and a day missed of my trip. Then on the tail end, I got dropped off by uber and left my phone in the car. Spent 2 more long hours getting that back. So safe to say, I really could have been annoyed with the situations. What I noticed in the airport was the immediate overwhelming angry travelers, taking it out on the stewardesses or yelling how bad the airline is. For me it was worst part to see and hear how others acted. Its at these times that you have to remember where you are and that some things are just going to be out of your control. I might not have been on that plane but there was another one that was taking me away to vacation. Don’t let the bumps ruin the rest of your trip.

Sometimes just time with friends is better than plans.

Before I left for Chicago, all of my coworkers were asking me what I was going to do or see, was I going to get some deepdish pizza? They all seemed to think that because I was going to a big city I was going to have some big city party. Whelp, honestly I was only going to see a great friend of mine and to get a break from my job. Jessica picked me up from the airport and our only plans were to hang out, talk, watch cheesy chick flicks and eat. I haven’t had any quality time with her since she moved away 3 years ago. It was so nice just to be in each others company, laughing at our ridiculous inside jokes and eating way too many Doritos and M&Ms. We did go into the city for a restaurant and the Zoo but really, I will trade the sights that are always there for the time with the little amount of time with a bestie.

Since getting back from Chicago, my mood has been improved for sure. But the two days away from work has me buried and doing overtime tomorrow. I am already trying to plan another getaway even while trying to figure out my next step. I hope this upcoming week I can add in some more fun and give you guys something else to distract you (and me 😊) Hope that you will look forward to the future and expect bumps, they happen.

Soul food, and I don’t mean in the chicken and waffles kind of way, is super important. There are three basic parts of life: Body, Mind and Soul. I’ve touched a little on body, getting my exercise in and changing little things in my diet. I have also talked about mindset, feeding your mind with books and mottos, anything that you are interested in. But soul is a little different, there is not a specific thing to work on. It really requires you to think about what uniquely makes you happy.

Sometimes it is so hard to stop and take a minute to think about what genuinely makes you happy in the dopey smile, peaceful kind of way. Something that warms you from the inside out. And it doesn’t have to be over the top extravagant. For some it could be a certain type of music, having a foam latte in a chic bookstore, or maybe its sitting on that one quiet hillside with the killer view. The world is full of experiences and pleasures that we need to take advantage of.

It is almost spring. The time of year when everything is in bloom and my favorite color of green is on all the new leaves. Spring makes my soul happy but how can you put that into everyday? I am finding little ways. Every week I go to the flower section at a grocery store, and I find a bouquet that catches my eye. I love the smell and sight of fresh flowers on my table while I eat breakfast and try to wake up for the day. Getting in all the good vibes before I head off to work.

I have a green thumb that goes back generations to my great, great grandparents. I remember planting things with my grandpa and with my dad, they are such fond memories. Its all part of why being in nature and having green around feeds my soul. My apartment right now, sadly doesn’t have the right space or lighting to have plants. Other than a small basil plant that barely hangs on, my garden will have to wait. But think about how completely satisfying it is to cover a seed with dirt, water it daily and watch as it sprouts and buds. Not to mention the variety from flowers to herbs you can enjoy in cooking to snake plants and palms. For now, I spice up my home décor with artificial potted plants until one day I can grow the real ones. That pop of color though brings me a good amount of joy.

Maybe it’s the arts that call to you. I have recently been scrolling and saving art and artists on my Instagram account. I am no artist and I cant tell you what “style” of art or category any of them fall under. What I can tell you is I am immediately drawn to bright colors, chunky brush strokes, underlying concepts. This is one of my favorites at the moment. Leonid Afremov. Some of the paintings really make me feel like I am there in the scene. Personally, I enjoy rainy days over most and I love the spring strolls as the drops cascade off an umbrella. This painting is me.

Maybe it is because of the painting above but I had an opportunity to create one for myself. I have dabbled a little bit with acrylic painting. I would say I am short on talent but I do enjoy mixing the colors and watching a white canvas become a story or emotion. So this weekend I took 3 hours to join a Pinot’s Pallet class. If you haven’t heard of one of these, they are classes where you paint as a group and drink. What could go wrong? Just kidding. Keeping in mind that there are “never mistakes, just happy accidents”-Bob Ross.

I took the class solo because my sister was busy and she is normally my try new things buddy. Its always good to have a friend to join you. I sat down with the ladies and the instructor (Becca), grabbed our brushes and water, and a glass of peach sangria. Becca gave us the step by step instructions on how to create this beautiful lady. She had to follow the structure down to the paint colors but encouraged us to paint it how we saw it. I added a few details with the bow and hearts and I was called a rebel. LOL. Every one of us had a different painting in the end. The best part of art is that it is up to your interpretation.

Im not sure what brings you joy or what talks to the inner you. Maybe you aren’t even sure but it isn’t too late to find your thing. Find a quiet minute to think about the sights, sounds, taste and feels. Think about the activities that you want to do more. The one thing that if you had one free day to do anything that you want, what would it be? Go do that and have a fantastic time!!