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• I resigned from my job of seven years. No more insurance.
• I terminated my lease six months early.  Still owe rent.
• I sold all but one of my furnishings and most of my books, movies, and music.
• I planned a move from a city I’d spent the past eleven years.
• My guy and I loaded a U-Haul, an SUV, a kitty gym, and Jasper and drove two days.
• We moved two states away to a  new city, which I had been to once (for one week).
• I spend hours every day looking for a job.

The blog has been at a standstill for some time now.  Many changes have occurred and much work had to be done prior to that.  The transition has been a wee bit stressful, as transitions tend to be; regardless, I love my life and am happy that we made the changes that we did.  The changes will be discussed soon.

It was some time ago that I said the blog would have a change of theme and I intend to make that happen shortly.  First, I need to create a new header to go with the change of theme.  If any readers are good at design and would like to volunteer to help me with a new set of headers, please e-mail me at gina.banina (at) gmail dot com.

originally uploaded by Laura **.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window… Grey skies.
I am thinking… How very tired I am.
I am thankful for… My one & only and my wonderful cat.
From the kitchen… Nothing. I do wish cookies were in the pantry though!
I am wearing… A black tee, jeans, and my brown mary-jane’s.
I am creating… Nothing. Crafty projects are unfortunately on hold.
I am going… Out tonight, prolly.
I am reading… Nothing presently.
I am hoping… Stability is mine soon.
Around the house… Clutter, boxes, and dust.
One of my favorite things… Crafty projects!
A few plans for the rest of the week: Sightseeing perhaps, roadtrip home to St. Louis.

(Idea found on the simple little joys blog)

IMG_0410-1, originally uploaded by gina.banina.

So I evidently let Christmas and New Year’s Eve pass without a post for either. My muse has run away for warmer shores it seems.

I have spent the majority of my time obsessed with scrapbooking and cardmaking. Much has contributed to total exhaustion besides.

Patiently I await longer daylight hours, warmer temperatures, and energy & inspiration to dedicate to all of my creative ventures, equally.

This is absolutely heartbreaking. If you have any money at all to donate, even $25, please please do. If you have any time to donate to the WWF, please do. This is urgent. The polar bear is now an endangered species. I never thought I would see this in my lifetime.

In the past several months I have become a bit of a domestic goddess.  Yes, I do believe I have earned that title.  I have baked chocolate chip-banana bread, from-scratch cheesecake, pumpkin bread, and peanut butter cookies.  I have made apple cider, quesadillas, mashed sweet potatoes, and more.  I have thought up centerpieces and turned a patio into a quiet sanctuary.

I actually enjoy baking and cooking for the first time in my life.  I still don’t bake if it will be only me to enjoy the results; but it feels really good to share what I bake with others.  I cook for my beloved and me and have had no complaints and many compliments.

Becoming so domestic is very different from who I’ve been so far in my life.  I do understand anyone’s incredulity at this change.  I am simply evolving through positive & negative experiences, healthy & unhealthy friendships, and lessons learned.  I am really enjoying this calmer life and look forward to continuing along this path.

Incidentally:  A calmer life does not always mean a boring life.  *smile*

A dozen roses! , originally uploaded by gina.banina.

I didn’t do the obligatory birthday blog post this year, but I absolutely should have at least mentioned this:

He got me a dozen roses!!!

I am a very, very lucky girl.

“Middle Class Piggy”, originally uploaded by Dave Allen Photography.

In preparing for secret, secret plans (muahaha!) my honey and I have devised a competition to see who can spend less money over the coming months. This will be a challenge for me, because: 1) I live paycheck to paycheck as it now stands, 2) I have a Twizzlers addiction that is unsurpassed, and 3) I need caffeine (in the form of diet soda, thank you!) like I need air – neither can I go without for very long.

The competition began yesterday, December 1st, and so far so good for me. I have remembered to bring my lunch, purchased soda in 6-pack instead of fountain form, and have “just said no” to my Twizzler addiction. I miss Twizzlers already and it has only been 2 days since I last had them. This will be a difficult road ahead, with no Twizzlers in sight. Twizzlers are a superfluous expense, after all, or so people claim. Pfft. My honey has had no need to spend money yet, so of course he is winning by default currently. So not fair. (Heh).

(Update:  I have already broken down and bought a bag.  I was craving them so badly… At least I am forcing myself to save them until the weekend, right?)

This Thanksgiving I have much to be thankful for and perhaps the most I have had to be thankful for in my life thus far.  I am perhaps the happiest and healthiest I have ever been, I really do believe.

I have met a man, my one and only, who is an exceptionally positive influence and treats me incredibly well.  He sees and appreciates all aspects of me and reminds me daily that he cares about and wholly values me.  My one and only is an intelligent, strong, and interesting person.

I am, of course, very thankful for my Jasper, as I am thankful for him daily.  Jasper has been the one constant in my life over the past 7 ½ years.  He offers unconditional love, offers great affection, and brings absolute joy to my life.  Along with the gratitude I have for him, I am very thankful that he continues to be healthy and happy.

I am thankful too that I have remained alcohol-free – for the past 139 days in fact.  The decision to stop drinking was the best decision for me.  My life and my relationships are much better because I am now 100% alcohol-free.  I have a clearer mind, healthier body.  I enjoy markedly improved outlets for emotion and expression for sure.

For the increased creativity and channels for such creativity I am quite grateful.  Along with that, I am very thankful for having met an inspiring individual this year (she should know to whom I am referring and I do hope that she does).  I have much to learn from her still and am definitely look forward to it.

In the past several months I have learned much, but one of the greatest lessons has been gratitude.  The new positive mindset I possess brings me greater peace and a more beneficial mindset with which to handle the bumps on life’s journey.  I make every effort to write down my daily blessings, well, daily.  Even on seemingly bad days I can think of at least five or ten things positive in that day.  I was amazed when I realized that even bad days held good moments.

It had never occurred to me to be particularly thankful for having a job before; however, this year I am all too aware of how lucky I am to have a job.  I can count on two hands the number of friends I have had this year jobless.  In my field, I have witnessed what the 10.2% national rate of joblessness means, meeting many of those that embody this statistic.  It is nearly impossible in this economy to find a new one too.

This Thanksgiving I will keep a smile on my face and remember just how very blessed I am.