Counting Blessings

Even though November and Thanksgiving Day are in the rear-view mirror, this is the season that I count the blessings in my life.  I think that this practice has at least some rudimentary roots in pagan traditions. 

1. Romeyn and my beautiful stepsons. 
2. Romeyn and my beautiful stepsons.  This needs stating twice.  I fully realize what a lucky you-know-what I am to have My Men!  We also have a pretty good relationship with the other coparents in the boys' lives.  Believe it or not, it's like having more "in-laws."
3. My blend, my in-laws, my nuclear family, my extended family, and my extended-nuclear family.  I'm not always the best at keeping in touch, but know that you are all in my thoughts!
4. My friends.  My understanding, patient, forgiving, creative, delightfully geeky friends!!!!! 
5. The Potsdam Lions Club.  Lions Clubs in general! 
6. The ability to dance and run.  Given the events of the past year and my dubious medical history, this is a biggie.
7.  Science Fiction---particularly books (e.g., The Martian), but also visual media (Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate...great examples...remember they are totally different things, with the possible exception of when Stargate SG-1 steals from Star Wars plot elements).
8.  Mysteries!  Oh, and all other books.  :)
9.  The Arts!  All of them!
10. Crafting.
11. Numbers!!  Always, always numbers.
12.  Last, but never ever least, my colleagues and coworkers with Potsdam College!  We will overcome the challenges together.  After all, we're Potsdam Strong and Potsdam Proud!

This certainly is not an exhaustive list.  However, the work day is starting, and that is a blessing as well!  Be well, fellow Introverts.

Unexpectedly Social

Although not completely unexpected, some of the social elements of my new work life are mildly adventurous.  So far, I've done a visual survey of a college store, and I'm scheduled to check out some athletic events at our campus this week (three of them).   None of this is *required* per se, but it does help tremendously with some of the smaller details included in budget survey assignments.  Also, it does get me out and about.  (It is nice to shake things up from desk to field trip every now and then!)

For Those of You on Campus: If you see a short middle-aged lady in business casual dress with notebook or clipboard in tow, peering around a bit more than the people surrounding her...you've probably found me "on assignment." Tap me on the shoulder and say hi! 

Cheers,
Your Sociable Introvert

Now For Something Completely Different

Several months ago, I was given priceless advice by a friend and colleague regarding the Best Fit for My Personality.  This advice allowed me the peace and tranquility to seek promotion in a new line of work.  The job is perfect for me, and I seem to be perfect for it.  I am being paid more to do a job that suits my particular character (and particularly my modes of communication).

The transition to a new position was smooth, but as with all changes it caused a bit of Introvert-related pain.   My meticulous routine underwent an overhaul.  Of course, this was only one factor among several that impacted the Great Routine:

* Transition To New Job
* Renovation/Repair to Home
* A Few Personal Challenges I Won't List Here

In order to compensate, I found time to go to the gym early in the morning prior to the start of my new work-day.   I initially kept to the same lunch schedule because it was familiar (although unnecessary).  I kept two journals simultaneously--one for Depressing Stuff and one for Aspirations.  I chewed a lot (and I do mean a LOT) of sugar-free gum, which aids digestion as well as thought processes.  (Please reference my Think and Chew post from last month.)

Now that the dust has settled a bit, I am focusing on how grateful I am to be here doing something that I love.  My home looks beautiful and comfortable, and I continue to journal about things that were, as well as things to come.

Be well, fellow Introverts.

Think and Chew

"Cogitate and ruminate." - Piers Anthony


Piers Anthony was one of my favorite authors when I was in my early teens.  The stories are incredibly intelligent, a bit bawdy, and wonderfully well-written.  The quote that sticks with me to this day is "Cogitate and ruminate." (Think and chew!)

One of my favorite pastimes is to wander through streets and/or forests, checking things out, thinking and chewing (gum).  It is the most restorative form of Introvert Time for me.   I've been known to walk miles...close to ten miles at a stretch in some cases.  It allows the self-absorption of ruminating on everything in my life at one particular moment.   The steady pace is similar to meditation.   Tangents and cotangents are as welcome as is thinking about nothing at all.

My mother was the one who got me started with this pastime.  It feeds curiosity, creativity, and of course, the need for movement and exercise.  Be well, fellow Introverts.

Bacchanalia

It is a source of continual seeming unreality to me that the word "party" is still societally synonymous with drinking.  I'll be honest here--I'm a lightweight.  It doesn't take much for me to become pleasantly inebriated.  

One of my best friends and I discussed a week of monastic abstention.  I proceeded in typical gung-ho fashion.  I was offered no less than five drinks during that window of time.  When one contemplates the social ramifications of this pattern, it's a bit worrisome.  

I'm not advocating for a lack of alcohol, but I'm questioning the volume of intake that is socially accepted within my generation.  I realize that this topic is contentious at best.  Please understand that I mean no offense.  

Be well, fellow Introverts.  

Home-Body

Our house is undergoing some much-needed rehabilitation.  Fellow Introverts, those who revel in book/cat/knitting time...you *know* how painful this can be!  The body of our home is currently in a great amount of disarray as a result.   The long term results of this will be fan-freaking-tastic. It's already starting to look pretty spiffy.  However, my oven is in my dining room (pending the kitchen's paint job after tons of plaster-work). 

"My oven is in my dining room" pretty much sums up how I feel about this whole process.  The house is not in order, and neither I nor my kitties are remotely amused.

Patience and Kindness for the Win

I received a revised bill from my care provider after resubmittal of the health care insurance claim.  The patience and kindness of my letter paid off in rather large dividends.  So far, the professionally-toned request to re-submit the claim to the proper arm of my insurance has saved me almost $150.  It is not the only claim that was billed, but it is a start!  I am one happy customer.