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I am grateful for:

Home – I am not yet employed in our new city, but love being home.  I wish we did not require a second income and I did not require health insurance, because I would gladly stay home full-time.  The house is always clean & neat, the laundry is usually done, the cat always gets plenty of love, and I am able to get caught up on things.

Organization – I live by the firm principle of “everything has a place and everything [should be] in its place.” Thanks to IKEA, inspiration across the internet, and an organized nature, the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, living room, and office are arranged and tidied in baskets, bins, and drawers.

IKEA – We came to a new city with no furniture or storage and only one of us employed.  Luckily an IKEA is in driving distance, so we have been able to furnish our new home at a discounted cost.  We found a few items on Craigslist, but the majority has come from IKEA.  Yay for affordable, well-designed furniture!

Books – When we moved I let go of two-thirds of my books.  Though I didn’t peruse the shelves often and hadn’t read all of them, it felt wrong to leave them behind.  Those I did bring along mean that much more because of the loss of so many others.  The way books look on a bookcase, so perfectly lined up and of all colors and sizes, makes a place feel much more like home.

Sunshine – The weather is usually sunny and warm in our new city.  I am always much more productive and happier when the sun shines, the weather is warm, and the skies are clear and blue.  Our city has what I describe as “flip flop weather”, my favorite kind!  I love being bare foot with flip flops more than just about anything.

• I resigned from my job of seven years. No more insurance.
• I terminated my lease six months early.
• 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).

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)

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*

“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?)

pretty pink tuesday, originally uploaded by patti | dearmissdoll.

“So is that what happens the closer we get to our birthdays? We fall apart?”

I asked my beloved this last night.   You see, my beloved’s birthday is coming up shortly and soon after it’ll be my own birthday. This week he developed a pinched nerve that makes it painful to sleep or walk. Yesterday it suddenly felt as if I’d sprained or twisted my ankle, but I’d done nothing to bring such pain on. Today his and my pain is worse.

Does this mean we’re getting old?

IMG_9213-1, originally uploaded by gina.banina.

My perspective is infinitely more positive these days. This is because I am happier than I can remember ever having been. R. has been a significant part of this happiness. I will repress my impulse to gush (you’re welcome), but am delighted that I’ve found this bliss. My metamorphosis of mindset is also thanks to a creative and inspiring person who I was fortunate enough to be introduced to (by R., no less!). She acquainted me with the concept of a daily journal in which you note every positive occurrence. I am grateful to her for sharing her own journal of joy with me, which inspired me to begin my own.