And let's call this one ...new beginnings.

A co-worker S graduated from college today. Despite the fact that she's almost <oh! I didn't quite think about it that way until now> 20 years younger than me, and we're complete opposites (she's a country girl, me a city girl), she turned from a co-worker into a friend over these last couple of years. We've been having lunch together most days and I always look forward to it. She's wise beyond her years at times and is the kind of woman who doesn't take shit from anyone. I met her boyfriend today and he seems like a good man and will treat her right.

She's gotten her BS in Criminal Justice and will be beginning her new job as a correctional office this summer.  It will be up north, closer to where she's from and she's really excited about not having to commute back and forth between up north and the cities like she has been for the last few years.

And that will be a really sad day when we have that last lunch together. (And I've already told her that I expect periodic updates from her when she's at work since she'll be working at a prison.)

And then there's the big exciting news that R & K are having a baby. They're finally starting the family they both want. I can't imagine two people who are more excited about this than them. And they're going to be fucking awesome parents. (They perfected loving patience by practicing on me during the brief time I lived with both of them! Kidding. (Maybe.)) I am going to be the worlds greatest "aunt" and I'm looking forward to spending time with this kid.

And then there is my not quite as big new beginning up ahead.

I found the new/next/last ? place. It's a place a bit closer to work and has some useful businesses quite close by...a grocery store, a liquor store, a gas station...and a salon that I read good reviews on called The Petite Salon. (I have a feeling I just might be able to budget more frequent haircuts with the money I'll be saving on rent! Have 2 a year instead of 1! :P (I still have bills to pay and savings to start!))

...And that's just one of the many things I have to keep in mind. That while I hate moving, where I am moving to seems like it will be just as cool, in different ways ...

I have to focus on the positive and how I'm going to be able to actually get back on track financially and dig myself out of the hole I fell into.

And it will all be new ...the sounds I hear out of my window. The view I see from those windows (er, if any.) New things to see when I wake up in the morning.  And the things I'll see when I sit outside on the steps having a smoke.

I will love having my bedroom in a separate room. I will LOVE having my bedroom in a separate room. Have I mentioned how much I will love having my bedroom in a separate room? :P

And I'm looking forward to having a separate bedroom -and all of my clothes in one place (well, this could be the case now but I hate putting clothes away.)

I'm looking forward to ...that kitchen. Yes, the kitchen. There's no counter space. And it wasn't upgraded like the one upstairs. And there are no drawers. But it's ...charming. Absolutely charming. And I'm so happy that I'll be able to call it mine in little over a month.

I can see making a home there. Actually making it a home. --I can't remember if I ever felt that way about this place. I probably did but financially it's been dragging me down and I "lost that lovin' feeling" a long time ago.

It's definitely been an adventure living down here. Fun at first but not being able to enjoy myself in my neighborhood, not so fun.

And while I'm excited about the charms of the new place (did I mention cool arched doorways?) ...if I were to find out an efficiency in Galtier Towers opened up, I'd go for that ...wouldn't I? Maybe not...it's too nerve-wracking waiting for a rental application to get approved. And I think they're tougher than this woman Jean was...

She seems nice. Really felt bad about missing our original appointment to see the place [again] and I appreciated that she apologized. (I sometimes wonder where on earth manners have gone.)

So...the next life. (Oooh, I just found the next song of the moment! You have been listening/watching ...right? :D)

☯☯☯☯☯☯

And now time to reflect on the many ...blessings, yes, I said blessings, in/about my life these days.

1. Really good friends. Good friends who are experiencing good things and I'm so happy for them. 
2. A job that I mostly still like.
3. Love. Love that keeps me on my toes [too.] Love that keeps me going when I feel like giving up. Love that really sees ME and is way more that I ever could have expected.
4. My mother's health is still holding steady. She's worked really hard and hasn't given up on herself.
5. That the weather finally is delightful. Downright perfect.

☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯☯

Ah, so yeah, moving. And once again I'm going through my stuff. Wondering what should I keep on keeping.

I think I might have to whittle down the dishes to 4 place settings. 4? Or 2? I'm going to miss living with a dishwasher. I should start just doing them all by hand now so I get used to it. Pretend I don't even have a dishwasher...wait, nope, can't do that. I didn't just buy a new box of dishwasher detergent to have it sit and go to waste. (I have this crazy idea about using up everything I possibly can in order to not have to move it... the dishwasher detergent, soaps (laundry, hand,) groceries, etc. (Crazy like a fox or just plain crazy?)

*sigh*

So here we go...again.