Six years ago, at this same time of the year, I was already done with my selection of the finishing touches of our house. The work was about to be completed, all the rooms including the bathrooms and the installation of the Kohler kitchen faucets that I personally picked was about done. The custom window treatments were the only pieces that was about to be delivered and installed.
Yes, today, a few days shy of six years – we moved to this place we call home. As cliche as it may sound, time does fly so fast when you’re having fun. It’s been six blissfully blessed six years. I can only hope for the same if and when we move again.
A marketing and sales career is a highly rewarding job. I should know, I’ve done it and I’d like to believe that I was successful, proof of which – I’ve been able to capitalize on it to get to the mid- management position that I used to have. Not every sales and marketing person gets the chance to work for a Fortune 500 company, and for that, I was grateful for the chance.
That is all in the past, though. I’m now the manager of a household of two. As boring as it may be for most, I’m not bored. I will not trade this position for anything in the world. Yes, I did enjoy all the perks and power that went with the job, but the perks and power of a stay-at-home wife is not comparable. I have been enjoying these perks for almost eleven years.
It’s been a great ride. I could not have found a better “employer.” I love it!
I have been very emotional this past week or so. With the current condition of my Mom, and one of my BFF leaving New York for good, it’s just too much to take.
Last Sunday, my friend and her family together with me and my husband took our last meal together. Yes, I consider it as the last meal for now, until we see each other again; who knows when that will be. Since Monday, I have been going back and forth from their house to collect every single thing that I’m interested in, from plants, unopened spices (tons of them, as she is an avid cook) to all the little knick knacks that they can’t bring with them. Their house is up for rent and although they left all the furniture intact, they had to ensure that all their personal belongings were disposed of. Salvation Army came to pick up all the goods for goodwill.
They acquired a beach front property in Brazil and they are now going to start a new life in a totally different world. My friend is from there, but her husband is a true blue American who was born and raised in New York. After months of shuttling back and forth (Brazil and New York) and sending off all their belongings through cargo, everything is now in place and it is now the perfect time to move on.
I’m not good with goodbyes. As they finally left today, and I got the final goodbye phone call, I found myself sobbing in between doing my laundry earlier. It’s tough!
The few times a year that I visit my doctor, I can’t help but take notice of the healthcare uniform donned by the medical staff. In fact, my Internist who is a Harvard graduate, and has a huge medical practice employs tons of medical professionals. Under one roof, there is a medical laboratory, a physical therapy unit, dialysis unit, as well as operating rooms where minor surgeries are routinely being performed.
That being said, I had to know where those fashion-forward uniforms that I have been seeing through the years are procured from. It was disclosed by one of the personnel that the women’s and men’s uniforms are all from dickies medical uniforms. I refer to them as fashion forward, because I noticed the figure flattering cut. Gone are the days when I used to see these professionals in those straight ugly cut uniforms.
Nowadays, when discount medical scrubs are easier to find on the net, I see no reason why any medical professional would want to be seen in those non-figure flattering pieces.
It’s the first time in years that I did not plant at all. While I initially wanted to forgo planting last year during the planting season, I somehow managed to sow seeds and I grew herbs.
However, this year is a total departure from what I have been used to. Our balcony is totally devoid of anything green. I was looking at my dry planters earlier and I couldn’t help but feel bad that I did not make use of the time to grow anything this year. Yes, there is always next year, and before we know it,the planting season is rolling in once more.
It’s been a busy summer. I totally went against planting because I was afraid that whatever plants I would have planted will just die on me because of lack of time to care for them. I’m very well aware of how I was engrossed with my plants when I did plant in the past few years. I devoted much time in caring for them, and it couldn’t be more gratifying.
Next year, I hope to be able to once again test my not-so-green-thumb. Perhaps, on a bigger scale even.
I learned to drive at 18, but I didn’t drive my own car till I was 20. Learning how to drive was a breeze, taking into consideration that I was practice-driving on a manual/stick-shift car. That didn’t deter me, although, I was kind of nervous at first, I was focused because I was determined to be able to drive my own car in due time.
A brand new Toyota Corolla was my first ever car. As a newbie car owner, I was ecstatic to say the least. I patiently read the car’s manual and eventually got myself familiar with the car’s parts. Opening the hood every weekend to get myself acquainted with all the parts was a must for me. I eventually knew all the basics of car maintenance.
Knowing fully well that I was driving a brand new car, I didn’t want to have my car serviced by just any mechanic around the block. At that time, it would have been great if I had access to an online portal such as the one that lists reliable and excellent Chicago auto repair shops and mechanics, but there was none where I used to live. Hence, the over-eager car owner like me, had no choice but bring the car for service and take the astronomical fees at the nearby service right at the dealership.
Needless to say, that when my car started to show some decline and aging and the water pump needed replacement, I was no longer as car-crazy as I was. That time, I tried to shop around and through recommendation from my family I sought the service of a reliable and knowledgeable mechanic.
Owning a car is like taking on a commitment. If you want to get the best service out of your car, you have to be able to commit to take care of that vehicle and keep it in tip-top shape. After all, even that brand new shiny car will one day deteriorate, and if it is taken cared for properly from the start, you’ll definitely reap the rewards and save yourself from the headaches that an un-cared for car gives.
This was the scenery that I snapped from our balcony earlier today.
I’m so glad that finally, Mr. Sunshine found its way. It was a tad cool for a day at the beach, but it sure was still a great day for most people who love to dip in the water.
Our fruit baskets are now replenished. After days of staying in, I finally went out and breathed fresh air. Sitting out on the balcony was not appealing and was not an option for the last few days.
We’re going to have a string of beautiful late summer days in the next few. I hope it stays that way, as I will really feel down all the more because a very dear friend is finally leaving New York for good by September 1st and will be relocating to Brazil. I’m not good at handling goodbyes but I’ve known about it for quite a while and I’m hoping I will be able to cope.
In a few days, September is rolling in. As if to say, the change of season is about to come, yesterday’s colder temperature clearly indicated it. I refused to give in, I didn’t want to entertain the idea of grabbing something from the coat closet.
Yet, I did… for my husband when he was about to head out to work. It was pretty cool, with temps at around 60 degrees, which was understandable as we live right around the ocean.
I was vacillating whether to head out or not so that I can finally go to the fruit stand. I’ve been meaning to go since Monday, but because of the rainy conditions, I had to stay in. As I opened the door to our balcony to have a feel of how it was outside, cold air greeted me. It was definitely a “light coat needed” kind of day.
You may have guessed it by now, I didn’t go. I refused to pull out another jacket from our coat closet. I wound up requesting for car insurance quotes online and even telephoned a few insurance companies that I’m considering. Our car insurance renewal is fast approaching, and my husband and I are now seriously considering shopping for a new insurance carrier.
My day was not wasted. I feel I really accomplished something very important, it was a productive day after all. Now, with details on hand, we need to sit down, compare, deliberate and make the final decision. This needs to be threshed out before we have another round of fun and excitement.
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