I am comfortable in my zone. Hence, the term "comfort zone". My zone, however, has been an amorphous area for quite a while now. Things seem to be in constant motion.  Crazy as it may seem, I am finding myself more at ease in these turbulent waters. As my busy-as-me-but-in-different-ways husband says "There is a light at the end of this tunnel." There will, at some point in the future, be a time when my average night of sleep consists of more than 3 hours. There will be a time when I get to see my husband for more than 30 minutes at a time. There will be a time when my children will be able to look back on now, and know they were loved and provided for. I can only hope that  they recognize that the piano lessons, scouts, church, library trips with dad, cookie baking, craft making, homework completing, family trips to the grocery store, and all the other bits of hoopla are not out of obligation, but out of preference. I may be tired, and occasionally on the grumpster side, but I am not going to stop if there is something else I am capable of doing for my family.

                                                   INTERMISSION






Next topic on my agenda for this evening is actually related to the first. Comfort Zone.  I am in the process of picking up my heavy foot and dragging it over the line.  Yeah, actually stepping out of this zone. I am planning on updating my resume and earnestly seeking a job a little higher on the ladder. And I am scared to death. I know I am awesome at what I do. I know I have the experience (and the degree) to expect better. I know there is nothing that I cannot learn to do, if I do not already know how to do it, but I am still shakin in my boots (or kitchen clogs, as the case may be) at the thought of "moving on". I cannot even begin to express the gratitude I have for the people I have been blessed to work with (some of whom will not hear the end of me, even if we no longer work together). Don't get me wrong, I haven't even applied anywhere else yet, so this is definitely not an immediate change, but I think I have climbed to the summit of my current job. I am ready to start the ascension in another kitchen. Yes. Woo.

If I were thinking clearly, I would have been wise enough to get out of bed, even though it was 6 am and I had fallen asleep roughly 3.5 hours earlier (after a 20 hr work day, no less). If I were thinking clearly, I would have been wise enough to get the VERY AWAKE twins some cereal as per their request. Alas, I was tired. I was not thinking clearly. I unwisely told the pair of three year olds that I would get them something to eat "in a little while" and to go play in their room for a little bit. I REALLY should have known better.

No worries. I found that if the tile is mopped 3 or so times, the floor is noticeably less sticky. And the festive feeling of fall-ness is keeping my spirits up. The boys and I crafted a giant spiderweb out of 100 ft of rope and    

hung it in the tree out front with an accompanying ginormous spider. The return of candy corn to the local grocery stores is pretty darn great, too. Oh, and it looks as though I am actually going to get 2 days off this month. Well, kind of. I will work the a.m. at one job, but took the p.m. off from the other, so we can take the boys to the State Fair. I am stoked. Woo.

I cannot even believe it is already October!! Fall is my favorite season. I love that the weather is cooling down enough to leave the windows open. I love putting up fall wreaths and buying pumpkins. I love that I can spray the "Harvest Spice" air fresheners all over my home and not get funny sideways judging looks from anyone who comes in the house. And there are copious amounts of birthdays to celebrate. Woo. Birthdays. Woo. Hopefully this month I will take a few more days off than I did last month. My days off of work grand total for the month of September...... ONE. Well, 1.5 because I took a half day, but I'm not counting that because I came home, did dishes and laundry, took out the trash, mowed the lawn, and then picked the boys up from school. So grand total stays at 1. Come on October, bring your worst. I'm armed with a fall leaf garland and a pumpkin scented candle.

This has been a long week. As my weeks seem to grow longer, I find myself dependent upon a few things:

1. Energy drinks. (bad, I know)
2. Silly texts from my husband.
3. Camaraderie of fellow like-minded cohorts.
4. Good music- which is actually the driving force behind not only my constant crazy dancing and occasional singing, but also the driving force behind my blog post this evening.

I have discovered a new band to love. They are awesome and make me want to dance. Check them out.http://youtu.be/81c3nn-7EUU

And if you happen to be in Dallas October 26, they will be playing at the House of Blues.
You bet your life I'm going to be there. And I will be dancing my booty off, guaranteed.

If only the easiest things in life were also the most rewarding. We'd all have it made. Too bad that's not the plan.

So I think I'm an organization junkie. I have a hard time saying no to the little foldable bins I find at the 99 cent store. I enjoy putting things of like qualities in boxes and bags. I write lists. My closet is color coordinated. I get cranky when I find markers in the snap top box designated to hold crayons. I believe that everything has a place and everything should be in that place (preferably in alphabetical or chronological order). Granted, I do have 5 children, a sometimes absent minded (but brilliant, funny, AND sexy) husband, and 2 jobs, so there are many an evening when the laundry stays unfolded, the board games stay out of their boxes, and the markers stay in the snap top box designated to hold crayons. I would like to think that at some time in the future, I will have a home of Martha Stewartian charm and standard. Ok, maybe not THAT organized, but I'd at least like to have a place for all of the random necessities that have accumulated along my counter tops and dressers. And NO, more "junk drawers" are not options.

At work today I was slightly vexed. Ok, ok, I was PEEVED. I was off for 3 days in a row, and it was obvious. I am not trying to ring my own bell, or toot my own horn, or play any other musical instruments, but I could definitely tell there was not much love put in by the surrogate food handler. I do what I do because, yes it brings in bill paying means, but because it makes me happy. I was at job #2 this weekend and got to make a succotash.    It had vibrant yellow corn and green field peas, beautiful red onions, red bell peppers, poblanos, and smelled of bacon and freshness and love.  I was nearly overwhelmed by the huge pot bubbling in front of me. I love to be around food. I love to see the amazing and beautiful things that can be created using different edibles. I love to be a part of that creation. I cannot imagine the mind frame of someone who has CHOSEN to be in my profession and has no respect for the kitchen that they call home or the food that they are entrusted with. If you have no true passion for the job, you have no place in the kitchen. Just saying.

On  a totally different, non-venting note, my boys have been really awesome today. Really. There has been minimal bickering, screaming has been scarce, and for the most part, they are all getting along swimmingly. I explained personification to the fourth grader (in total teacher style- whiteboard and all) and he actually got it. He even thanked me for "telling it" to him in a way he could understand. Apparently, his teacher, whom assured us that she was familiar with Asperger's, does not feel that a fourth grader should have issues with literary devices. REALLY? One of the symptoms of the syndrome is " taking figures of speech literally." GROWL. Ok, I am done with the venting for real this time. I promise. As I was saying, the boys are all goodness and light this evening. I still have actual bedtime to endure before saying it was a great night, but maybe I'll bribe them with a snack. I know snack bribery works on me.