It's official. Yes. Woo. Just call me Seuss Chef. Or I guess Sous Chef would be more fitting. Oh yeah.

I am filled with gratitude. My life is chaotically beautiful. I am overly blessed.  I am  not going to be creative in this post.  Instead, I am going to fall back on the cliche and  list a few of the things I am thankful for. But, just a few. There simply isn't enough time to compile a complete list. It would have to be broken into volumes. Yeah. So here's a compacted list:

• Family who love me. 
• Friends who are constant.
• Beautiful food.
• Guidance.
• Comfort.
• Hysterical laughter spilling from five not-so-tiny-anymore boys.
• The large black dog that meets me at the door (and nearly knocks me over) every time I get home.
• The exhausting mental work done by my husband to ensure a stable future for our family.
• My new memory foam mattress with individually wrapped coils, which  induces an immediate nap upon contact, and the down comforter my sweet husband unknowingly will be getting me for Christmas.

I am really tired of sounding like a frog. I had bronchitis about two weeks ago. I went to the doctor, (which means it was pretty bad, because I don't go to the doctor), who loaded me up with pills, and the bronchitis went away. Unfortunately, the frog voice has remained. One of my three year olds asked me to "sing the sunshine song." I said "I can't sing the sunshine song baby, I have a frog voice." His sweet three year old reply "Ok. Sing it in a frog voice momma." Very frustrating that I can't even sing to my babies. Definately not awesome.

So Starbucks has some pretty tasty seasonal drink choices available right now. I am in love with the Egg Nog Chai. Yummmm. As it may or may not be known, wanting to drink two or even three of these drinks a day and actually having enough cash to do so, are two very different things. Before work a couple of mornings ago (yes before work. I'm talkin wee hours of the morning here) I stopped by my local 24 hr grocery store and purchased a few items that have not only saved me money, but provided me with a bit of happiness, too. I bought a couple of jugs-o-egg-nog and a box of chai tea bags. Woo egg nog chai. So sorry Starbucks. My money will be going toward more important things (like new white work shoes. Oh yeah.). Definitely awesome.

I have been cooking on the line in a French bistro for three years now.  Recently I decided I needed to step up my game and procure the title of  Sous Chef. The intention was not necessarily to become Sous of the kitchen I have become so acquainted with.  In fact, having the two Sous spots at my current job filled, I  actually was thinking the title would have to come from a different restaurant. Last week bittersweet news arose.  The amazing Sous/pastry Chef/world-king-awesome-friend-who-has-my-utmost-respect-and-gratitude, whom I have worked with for the past three years. is moving up and out. She unabashedly (and rightfully so) won over some pretty big name restauranteurs/chefs and now has an amazing new job of which she starts at the end of this month.( http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2011/sep/12/oak-restaurant-dallas-design-district-hires-ex-man/ ) I have gained so much from this lady that I can't even begin to express my thanks to her. Because of her, not only have I grown in my knowledge of the kitchen and its workings, but I have been given unconditional support and friendship as well. I have yet to actually dwell on the thought that I will no longer be able to spend the mornings acting a fool with and actually enjoying being at work with her. I am so incredibly proud of her, and in no way surprised that this amazing opportunity has found her. (By the way Chef G, we may both be busier than we've ever been in our lives, but don't think just because you're now a fancy smancy restaurant chef that I'm no longer gonna be around. Oh I'll be around. You can't get rid of me that easily. Muhahaha!) So there's some happy and some sad and then there's the uncertain. The uncertain comes from the fact that there is now an unfilled Sous position at my job. I in no way want to step on toes or claim I "deserve" this opportunity, but I want it. I applied online for the position this evening (which seems a little odd) and now I sit and wait. Or stew and wait, as it may be. How awesome it would be to have a couple of days off. And how awesome it would be to be able to be Sous in the kitchen that has been my home for the past few years.  I can only hope that the employment powers that be fully recognize my loyalty and determination and perseverance and all the other characteristics I would like to think that I posses that would make me the optimal choice (*wink*).

I am really astounded by how fast these past few weeks have gone by. Really. Thanksgiving will be here soon and I still have the giant spider and skeleton windsock in the front yard. "I am thankful for creepy yard decorations." But that will only carry me through November. Once December rolls around, I could put Santa hats on them. Or I suppose I could lug the ladder into the front and take them down. Sigh. I spent entirely too long today away from my home. Hubby didn't have to go to school until later than usual. This is a good thing. Bad thing is that I was stuck at the oil change place with a car LONG overdue for a change, and a hungry 4th grader, instead of spending valuable time with my husband whom I very rarely get to see. After finishing a lengthy and boring list of to-do things, I was in no mood to make dinner. Sad. Very sad. Standing in the to-go line at the local pizza place wearing my chef whites. I either looked lazy or like a phony. Just my Halloween costume. I swear. And to think, there was once a life before 70 hour work weeks, when I had the energy to come home and make pizza dough. I will be there again. Soon.

Trick or Treat!

Well, goodbye October. You were definitely a full month. Here is a montage of pictures recording some of the exhausting, hectic, and amazing days you gave me.

Bruvers!

 Birthday!

Thanks a lot sick on my birthday

 Another Birthday!

Creepy crafts

Yeah I wore it to work!

Bathroom reconstruction

Yet Another Birthday

State Fair of Texas

Fitz and the Tantrums

World King Awesome Night!

My sweet girls

Tweedles

My other sweet girls