learning to be

I realize it's been quite a long time since my last entry - and I can't decide to rewind or start where I left off. Well...it was Christmas when I left off. I enjoyed the time at home very much...and since I was just looking at my pictures, I have to share my absolute favorite one....it's Blaise with a little dinosaur, aka "superhero" mask I got for him...he's adorable!

I also got to work (albeit too late) on the mini-rocking chair project. I think I would wither away without projects to do. I had much fun dismantling this peice of history from somewhere up in Montana. What did I find in the seat cracks?? Nothing too exciting, LOTS of sunflower seeds, a hairpin, and an old penny...interesting thoughts of where something has been. I got it all cleaned up and repaired and retied the springs...so know it's ready to reupholster.

After coming home from Vegas, I took off again to San Francisco - which was a most fabulous trip. There was so many things and people to see and neighborhoods to walk - but I ended up staying in the Mission (my old hood) nearly the entire time. My only jaunt out was to meet my friend Jason by his new apartment down by Powell Street...but will you look at that weather! It was completely gorgeous the second day I was there! And then it stormed the next couple days, but what's SF without some fog and rain?! I stayed with the Sojourners, which was fantastic as always. So good to connect to second-homes and people who are dear. I caught up with Scotty and Jason, ate at Tartine, beat Krista and Nate in a game of Settlers, drank Phil's Coffee everyday, found a new pie place, and spent some great time with my old Campbell St. Girls.

Then it was back to work again. The first couple days were a little difficult, but I found myself getting into the groove last week. I feel it's the time to buckle down as well as lighten up some at my clinic job. I place such high expectations on myself which stresses me out and makes me not want to be there so much...so I should just chill out. At the cafe, I've been appreciating the steady stream of regulars and familiarity there. And I've talked to Adam Sandler a couple of times, since he's come in...and I waited on Sinbad the other night too. Both guys and their families are very nice.

My car is coming along. I've been hard at work getting the upholstery finished so that I've got seats by the time the engine's up and running. It won't be long now, and I'm getting so excited!

And lastly...a new neighbor moved in and he has a dog! And she's great...she's a large-sized medium-ish dog named Scout. And Jonathan, her owner works during the evenings and lets me steal her whenever I want. So I went for a jog Sunday afternoon and a long walk tonight (And she's now laying by my side...sigh). I really enjoy being out with a dog - I'm alone but not alone. As Scout and I sat by the lake in the park this eveing I saw the lights of the cars driving past in a whir and felt a still, small voice of affirmation telling me to just be. And as I've had various mini-revelations in the past few weeks - I think that's a good overall summary...to just be. Be content and persevere with what I have here in front of me. Learn patience in things coming. Just be.

P.S. My New Year's resolution is to do more cooking/a.k.a eat better. I go in shifts with this. You may be wondering what this picture has to do with that...well I'm cooking. Yes - I just happen to be wearing goggles. But what you have to understand is I have a friend/roomate who *may *nearly wrestle me down at times because she has something that I must do. In this case, I was cutting onions and crying horribly when she remembered a solution of the past was to wear googles! So I was properly fitted with a pair and I can't say they helped at all! They did succeed at trapping my tears produced both by the onions and my laughing!!!