Out of Time

Sometime in early to mid-November when my December issue of Sunset magazine arrived, I was really taken in by an article titled Kanella Christmas by Joyce Maynard. Her cookies, the Kanellas, sound absolutely amazing, and I've been fancying her Kanellas my signature cookie every since. I've gone so far as to tell many friends about these fabulous cookies I'm going to make and give to coworkers and loved ones alike. I've described them and their adorable, stubby, misshapen form. I've even imagined myself years from now eating a lovely Kanella and thinking I really hit the nail on the head back in 2009 when I found that Kanella recipe. They're just right, I imagine myself thinking then as I do now. Timeless, simple, yet surprising.

Keep in mind I have yet to taste a Kanella. I can tell you that the recipe seems like a good one and that the picture on page 76 of this month's Sunset is adorable. It's just I don't seem to have enough time. And while I know everyone says that, as the year draws to a close this is something that is really troubling me. Over the past week, I finally got through all of my obligations for work and now it's 9pm and the Kanellas take two hours. I have the whimsical jars to present them in, charming gift tags and all the ingredients in my kitchen. It's just not going to happen tonight.

I have to go to bed now. 26 children need me to be full of energy for them tomorrow. Maybe I'll just lug all the ingredients in to school and make the Kanellas with them. Now there's an idea. Besides, I can't risk everyone going on a diet and not eating them come January!

Fall 2009

Winter is almost here. Sometimes it's almost hard to believe how much change actually takes place during the fall. From the bright yellow sunlight and bold blue skies of hot summer days, to warm orange sunlight, red leaves and long shadows on crisp fall days we somehow arrive at cool blues, icy greys and low white sunlight hovering on the horizon. I cherish the changing of the seasons, but I'll admit, fall is definitely my favorite.

Life Lessons

I've made a resolve to relax more and stress less. I made a list of activities that help me de-stress and a list of those that actually make me stress more. In an effort to stress less, I've set the goal of doing at least two de-stressing activities each week. This afternoon, I drew myself a hot bath with bath salts and candles, got a glass of water and the December issue of Real Simple. It was wonderfully relaxing. Especially when I got to this article. It's a good one, and definitely made me feel like I'm on the right path these days. Photo from realsimple.com

And how do you say 2010?

I would have to agree with W+K Art Director, Jimm Lasser. This is a fun little ditty, not too long and will surely make you laugh. Or cry. It kind of made me cry because I would like to have a job/life where I discuss things like this all day. Instead I get to discuss the type of bags that children's soiled clothing are sent home in. Having artsy ziplocs from IKEA is not a sufficient creative outlet. What am I doing with my life? Well, I guess I'll answer that in 2010.

Balance?

I have no idea how I'm ever going to finish the yoga challenge I signed up for. Every night there is some sort of conflict which makes it impossible for me to go to yoga. Okay, difficult to go to yoga. Alright, fine. Easier not to go to yoga.
The last time I went was a week ago! Going once a week will not exactly help me reach my goal. But I haven't been since because of various things. I wanted to stay in and make a nice meal with Joel one night. I had a work function the following night. The next night was Friday night and I had happy hour with the girls, but had to take care of some errands for work before that, so missed the early class then. Saturday was Halloween - Sunday I was hungover. Monday was conferences so I was at school until 7pm. Granted I did go in later, but I had to go to the DMV during the couple of daytime hours I had for the first time in months. And here we are on Tuesday night again, my goodness. Tonight I'm not going because Joel has a work function and we like to think we're really green because we only have one car. Hmmm.

Half Empty

I've never wanted to be a person who views the glass as half empty, but I am. I have never even questioned whether the glass is half full, I mean, come on! Look at it. Where's the rest of the water? I am inclined to be a bit pessimistic. But, I suppose one can change that. I'm working at focusing on the good things in my life. And that means that I often times have to look for them because it's easy to overlook things when you're convinced of a bad outcome. I guess that lots of yoga and lots of looking for the good stuff will pay off in the next six weeks. And it doesn't hurt that today is a sunny beautiful day either. Time to go express my gratitude and optimism. Yea!

I'm Back!

After nearly a month of slacking off and being a loser blogger, here I am. Let's just say that I've been busy. I knew that it was going to take us a good three months to feel settled and confident in our new job, but managing an apartment building is much more to wrap one's head around than we originally thought. It's easy enough once you get the hang of it, but getting there is a lot of groping in the dark - and not the good kind! A few major sacrifices have had to be made along the way. The worst of that was missing my cousin Ashley's engagement party in Seattle on the 3rd of this month. Guess what people pay between the 1st and the 5th? RENT. And guess who collects all of that rent? WE DO. All of the tenants slip their rent under our door and then we deposit the money and fill out a greensheet. Simple enough, right? Actually no. It sounds simple, but then day after day from about the 25th (early birds) to 11:59 pm on the 5th (last minuters) every time you walk past the door, or open the door after getting home from work, or return from just popping down to the laundry room, they're there. Checks. Everywhere. Big ones. And there are notes with them asking for this and that. One person's stove has a burner out, another person wants their phone number updated in the intercom system. It happens all at once, like a flood or an attack. The paper under the door attack. We scoop them all up and put them with the strange metal filer thing for doing the greensheets. Then it's actually time to do the greensheet and it's confusing, and time consuming. So many columns, so many carbon copies to line up. Several hours later, the first one is finished. Checks keep appearing. Aaaahh! Next month will be easier, but the first one? Tough! So finally, by 4pm Saturday afternoon, I had done the bank deposit and finished the greensheet and making my way up to Seattle at that point was out of the question. It was also not very convenient that Joel had a work function that day and could neither entertain the idea of going to Seattle nor any help with the greensheets. Then I tackled all the maintenance requests, updated the long-neglected spreadsheet for the entry intercom and proceeded to push buttons like a crazed maniac on the intercom system for a good 15 minutes. Constant beeping. Must it beep so much? Phew! It's getting easier and more automatic as we go along. To be perfectly honest, it's actually pretty fun once you get the hang of it. As of today, we're down to one vacancy. A very adorable vacancy, so it will go quickly. Rah!

On another note, I'm doing a yoga challenge. It's for Living Yoga and I'm fundraising so get your checkbooks ready! The money goes toward bringing yoga to low-income populations and other populations that would otherwise never get to benefit from the amazing health boost that yoga is. More on that later! You'll sponsor me, won't you?? :)