Along the path...

I have so many things to be grateful for, so many blessings in my life. Among them is that I am at week 8.  Last night, I saw a movie with Nathan and Bekah and their kids. It was Encanto and followed a storyline about the importance of family. I have been blessed with an amazing family too.

How is it seven weeks since surgery?!?! 

It's been seven years that I have worked at CareerStep. There have been a lot of changes over the years. I love our mission of helping people learn new skills and start a new path, new career. Awesome sauce!

Finished another book. It was silly and lighthearted and an easy read.  It's an endearing take on modern and medieval fairy tales, fairies that haven't quite reached their fairy state yet, and the angst and conflicts of young love. A clean teen romance novel.

There are days when the weight of the world hangs heavy. Knowledge is power, right?!?  Seeking direction about how to help. Listening for guidance, and then praying for courage to act.

It seems like only yesterday that we were awaiting her entrance into the world. This spunky, kind, thoughtful, smart, talented, goodhearted, swimming, dancing, singing, and acting-loving woman made me an aunt. Life wouldn't be the same without her in it. She's 18 today. In the blink of an eye. College bound after high school. The world at her feet. This weekend we got to celebrate her by watching her in her element: a swim meet and a musical. We also embarrassed her at dinner too by singing to her at Cafe Sabor. Happy birthday, ICW!!! Love you so much.

Discouraged. That's what I am. I think I went back to work too soon, too hard, too full on. My brain feels like is finally starting to unfog and clear up. My thinking is mostly straightish now. Or straightening.  Still healing. Incision infection is improving. Antibiotics for the win! My emotions are all over the place. I cry much more often than usual. Over the most ridiculous things. For the most obscure reasons. For just because. I hurt and ache and want to scream/yell all the time. I keep telling myself it will get better. Now, I'm not sure if I am an unreliable narrator or a full blown liar.  I feel like such an uncontrolled, uncontrollable mess. A stuffy with its filling torn out and scattered around the room. No way to calm the storm and pull it all back together again. So sorry for anyone who my path crosses with. Hopefully I haven't swamped or capsized your boat.

It is finished and done. With the hint of a sequel.  V. E. Schwab's stories are unconventional, fresh, and unique. Her writing is musical and delicious. Something to be savored. Not for young adult readers. Thematic and language.  What would life be like without memory or without being remembered? Who else has read this book? Thoughts swim in my head; I would like to discuss it with someone.

I am amazed. It's been five whole weeks since Einstein was evicted. Five weeks. That seems like yesterday and a lifetime all wrapped into one. Half a week back to work down now too. My fingers are unpracticed, unused to the work. Healing takes time I keep reminding myself. There are times I steam ahead regardless of anything else. Until my body or my stamina scream, "Um, hello are you listening?!?!" In another week maybe I will dare to sleep on my stomach again...

Starting to look into meatless, non-mother/non-face food options that are also tasty and satisfying. I saw a recipe on Trader Joe's Instagram awhile back for their bottled Autumn vegetable soup, baby kale, and gnocchi. Tried it. Found out I like baby kale a lot. Love gnocchi still. Wasn't a huge fan of the soup. But, it wasn't terrible and no one died from it. So today I thought I would try out a recipe for lentil tacos from Taste of Home. We added corn and cooked, brown rice to the lentils. The mouthfeel and chewiness factor was good. I like the flavor. For shells, we used Trader Joe's jicama taco shells. I tried a tostada and a taco. The jicama shell was surprisingly sturdy and not too "different" tasting. Would totally do them again. The picture comes from Taste of Home's recipe page. They used corn taco shells instead of the jicama. I didn't take a picture of my taco before slicking it down.  Here is a link to the recipe for safe keeping.... https:

Saturday  was my one month mark from surgery. Back to work I go today, like Joe. Wish me luck! I hope I remember and can do all of the things.... Hoping today doesn't end in a volcano.... hahaha