Packin' party

My friend suggested that Gabe and I throw a packing party. I thought that was a great idea and it turned out to be a smash. I had fun, and I think every one felt as though they had accomplished something. And they most certainly did! My kitchen is completely packed. Which is no small feat as the kitchen is HUGE. As in, it has a couch and full dining room table in it.

It was as good as a Christmas present as any of them could've given me. And as my time as a regular Burbankian draws to a close, every opportunity to spend time with my pals is precious.

We're off to Phoenix today to cash in on a wedding present. My mom got us tickets to a Rams game, playing the Cardinals. It should be great fun, love the live sports!!

Wheeeeeeeeee!

Luckily, I am not in charge of this whole moving thing. That honor belongs to Gabe, which is fine by me. If I were team captain, we would've started packing in November and not gotten anything really done until January 1st. There would be a lot more fretting and sleepless nights.

It's weird and wonderful to be so completely trusting in another person. So much so that moving my life to a different location is gladly thrust into his hands. I'm not saying that I couldn't do it on my own, or that I'm a helpless girlie. Y'all just know that ain't true. But I am happy to do my part in this marriage and let him do his.

On a different note, I have been officially off of work for 2 days now and I am proud to say I already forgot what day it was one time! That's my favorite part of long vacations: completely disregarding clocks and schedules. When I'm working I am all about times and dates, which day of the week I have a free minute to do what ever I need to get done.

This feels really good, to be free for a while. And not knowing exactly what the future holds is more exciting now that the "future" I've been talking about for so long has technically arrived. Like I have found again and again, when I am willing to take that leap of faith all kinds of possibilities become available.

I'm so happy to be having this experience. Life feels all new and fresh. I am learning new ways to love and trust. I am open to the possibilities. I am free, yet secure. I am practically effervescing! As if you couldn't tell. Wheeeeeee!

Last day

Boy, am I glad that's over.

Merry Christmas.

Ahhhhhh...

I can't seem to find the words that describe how happy I am that it's Friday.
So I am reduced to this:

Yeeeeeeeee-HAW!
WHOOPEE!
YAY YAY YAY!

Sorry I'm usually not this incoherent... but this is my last Friday at the Glendale frame. EVER!

There. Ever. I said it.

Surreal life

Yesterday my co-workers surprised me with a going away present. It was very sweet, considering how cranky I've been with all of them during my time here. I am realizing that I am getting better at keeping my opinions to myself, both verbally and non-verbally (i.e. I don't roll my eyes at people any more). That must make me a much more pleasant person!

At any rate, it's becoming very surreal that I am 22 working hours away from being out of this place I've worked in most of the past 8 years. I'm not sad to leave it, it's not the cheeriest of places. No windows, cement floors and fluorescent lighting. I've had a difficult time with some of my co-workers, and although that seems to be getting better I'll still be glad to move on from here. Also, there is no company parking (or street parking!) so we must fend for ourselves.

The brightest spot for me at this work location has been my boss. She's also in recovery so we speak the same language. I get all my work done and do it well and she lets me read at my desk with out any hassle. I'll be sorry to lose her guidance and support.

The point is: I'm leaving this office! I can't bring myself to say forever yet. Maybe it's superstitious nonsense but I just can't say it yet. I don't really believe it yet. Yet, yet, yet. Give me some time away and I think I'll change my tune. Heh, heh.

Countdowns aplenty

I have been in therapy for 10 years, seeing the same woman the whole time. I started seeing her when I was 21 years old. I was not sane. I saw her 2 times a week for a while, I think on two separate occasions. I used to go into our Saturday morning sessions so drunk from the night before that I couldn't sit up in the chair.

Last night we had our final regular therapy session, and it was very emotional. It's strange to look into the face of some one who knows all your deepest crap and not be afraid or ashamed. I feel happy, free and able. She said she was very proud of how far I had come.

Looking back, I see a road paved with all the help and support of not only my therapist, but the friends I have made in Alcoholics Anonymous. I have no fear that anything that I hold dear will slip away from me when I move. I have no fear that I'm going to forget or be forgotten.

Whew! I feel all emotional and stuff.

It's raining in my kitchen

Wow what a great party Saturday night. I've hardly been able to wait to write about it, but I was hoping to have some pictures. Oh well, I can't wait any longer!

I had super amounts of fun at our send-off party Saturday night. We have an amazing group of people in our lives! And although it's only 3 hours away, right now it seems awfully far. I've had a lot of reassurance that it's not, and that true friendships stand the test of distance.

Any way, the party was awesome. Good food, great friends and a lot of laughter. Every one looked happy and although I didn't get to talk to anyone as much as I wanted, hopefully no one felt neglected or ignored. And did I say the food was good? YUM

There was video camera set up upstairs for people to say little good-bye messages to us. We're going to wait til we're up there to look at it. It should be funny if not a little sentimental.

And after almost every one left, we played this game called Apples to Apples. If you haven't played it, you might want to soon. It's SO cool. I almost lost my voice from yelling so much. It's not a quiet game...

Sunday morning I woke up and went to the fridge for my morning diet Coke, only to have water fall on me from the ceiling. I had to wake up Gabe to a little mini-waterfall in the kitchen. Then I had to leave and when I came home there were to moderately large holes in the ceiling. They might actually have to get bigger... Ugh, plumbing. But at least this happened while we're still here, and not when the new tenants just moved in and us 3 hours away!

Always something to be grateful for... always. I had a whole weekend of grateful. I'm chock full today too.