Hurry Up andddddddd Wait...

It feels like this relocation is taking forever, even though it isn't...

We are constantly rushing to meet a deadline, then twiddling our thumbs until it is time to rush again.

So what are we waiting on?

> Windows and Glass for the house in Michigan... Then we will be able to move forward selling it.

> 2nd attempt on our closing in Kentucky... OK, Ok. - Luckily, that wait is finally over as of yesterday.

> Keys for our new house... This has probably been the hardest wait - knowing it is ours, but having to wait just a few more days while they finish moving out.

> Our belongings... They are being stored on a semi-truck in Michigan.  Once we get the carpet dyed and the walls painted, we'll be welcoming all of the boxes. If I only had a dollar for each time I said - "Yep, we have that - on a semi in MI."

> Getting out of temporary living...It has a great view and short drive to work; however, it is not us.

> Just being done with being "in limbo"... I really don't like not being settled!

I am really starting to appreciate "my stuff"... Especially my kitchen tools.  As I was making Beef Stew tonight, I had to count to l0 a few times while trying to do something that is usually so easy... with my tools. I must say though - I have a good list of things that will make good gifts for a bridal shower or Christmas present. :)

BUT... I have to say that I am extremely blessed that I really like my new job.

If I had a huge amount of stress both with the new job and relocating, I don't know how I would manage.

Hopefully, the next post will be about "we are done" and then I'll get all of these restaurant/food pictures off of my phone and onto the blog. 

Namaste.

Relocating...

As I mentioned last month, we are in the process of relocating south to be closer to family.

This is my 4th company relocation...

The 1st one was straight out of college with very little belongings, but new job, new town... 

Just a bit stressful for a 21-year-old starting out in the world...

The 2nd (and 3rd) was a bit easier... 

Same company in the same job...just moving office/home locations. 

I did a personal move between the 2nd and 3rd...

I must admit - I prefer being moved as a part of a relocation and not having to pack/move/unpack all of it myself...

Now, we are in the middle of the 4th!

I must admit - this has been the most stressful move of all of them. As I was about to pull out my hair over the anxiety, I realized the number of things that we are going through right now.

Retiring from a job...

Starting a new job...

Reliving the "goodbye" of a loved one due to legal issues...

Buying our two vehicles...

Arranging for extended warranty on said vehicles...

Selling a house - in the winter...

Buying a house - in a crazy market...

Moving insurances...

Waiting on a parking spot (the joys of working downtown)...

Living in corporate living - a 2-bedroom apartment with a queen size bed is a challenge...

(NOTE - all furnished apartments should have a soup ladle, whisk and 9x13 casserole)

If something isn't on the To Do list or a reminder on the family calendar, then it doesn't get done.

If it doesn't go smooth the first time, then a colorful word is coming out of my mouth.

And I realized that everything (including my job) is really data focused right now...

Which may be why I feel like I am crawling out of my skin.

I am 50/50 right brain/left brain...

I have to have both data and creativity to be balanced and I am not balanced right now.

So, I opened the ole blog and started creating some words...

And I hope that this will help bring me back in balance...

And if that doesn't work, then later this weekend, I get to take pictures of our youngest grand's birthday celebration...

Until the next creativity need arises...

Namaste.

I'm Back...

Yes, it has been awhile since I have posted...

I am actually surprised at how long it has been...

Obviously, posting here took a back seat to what I call... LIFE.

2021 was the year of improvement...

Mainly, improving me - physically and mentally.

I, working with my doctor and a dietician, decided that I needed to make some changes.

And I did...

It took about 11.5 months, but I hit the weight goal that my doctor set for me.

64 pounds gone!

Lots of lower calorie recipes in the rotation.

Lifetime use of the MyFitnessPal app.

Yep - this is a journey.

Last November, we also joined the VR world and I have been doing SuperNatural workouts daily.

BIG GAME CHANGER

It helped me get off the last 6-7 pounds that were teasing me...

And so - 2021 was the year of improvement.

And I was successful.

So...

2022 is going to be the year of family.

I have decided to retire from my job of 25.5 years.

This will allow us to relocate back to the Cincinnati area to be closer to our kids and grandkids.

This is the priority.

This will take us most of our time in the next few months.

I am looking for the next adventure in our journey...

I have a lot of restaurant food pictures on my phone ready to share with you.

Perhaps in the spring?

Until then, stay safe, healthy and happy.

Namaste.

#FridayFinds - Acapulco Mexican Restaurant (Fairfield, OH)

We were out of town for another pool tournament (yes, our lives are slowly starting to return to normal) and ended up at Acapulco's.  We have eaten here before, but this was the first time that I remembered to grab photos.  

I did not get a photo of the sign though. :( 

It is pretty easy to find when you google.

This is one of the very few times that MBB did not get his normal burrito. :)

Quesadilla Acapulco w/ a side of rice

There was a picture in the menu that I decided to get - and it was great.
But I just realized that it is in the written menu, so I don't know what it is called.
It had shrimp, squash, broccoli, pineapple, onions, peppers, rice and cheese sauce.
It came with mushrooms, but I got it without due to my allergy.

If your in Fairfield - stop at Acapulco's before heading on to Jungle Jim's.  :)

Namaste.

#FridayFinds - Don Ramon Mexican Restaurant (Westlake, OH)

We were out of town for a pool tournament and stumbled upon this gem.

MBB always orders the same burrito at every Mexican Restaurant that we ever go to.  He deemed that this was the best tasting burrito he has ever had.

I was very, very happy with my fajitas!  I wish more restaurants would put more veggies in them - definitely helps out for those of us counting calories!!!

Flaming Cheese Fajitas (no mushrooms)

Grande Burrito Fajita (I think)
Chicken, no beans...add chorizo

Definitely a repeat anytime we are in the area!

Namaste.

#FridayFinds- Nick and Jimmy's

So, Nick and Jimmy's is connected to a golf simulator...

'Nuff said.

If I was going to "watch golf", then I was going to have some dinner too...

Garbage Chicken Chunks (Zesty Garlic)

N&J's Famous Chicken Sandwich
(w/ the sauce on the side)

It was yummy, but if I get the garbage chunks again - I may see if I can get tator tots instead of french fries.  

Namaste.

#FridayFinds - Old Bag of Nails Pub

We had the Old Bag of Nails Pub on our list to visit for awhile and we finally made it there!

The food was very good, but I don't know that we will be making the longer than normal drive to do a repeat... If you are over that way, I would definitely recommend stopping by!  The service was amazing...

Two of our party wanted to try their adult hot chocolates...

The pub had run out of hot cocoa.  :(

Next thing we know - our waitress ran out to her car to get the hot cocoa that she had picked up that day for her house so that we could have our drinks.

Loaded Potato Skins

Adult Hot Cocoa

Philly Cheese Steak w/ Tator Tots

Fish n Chips w/ Brussel Sprouts (YUM!)

Namaste.

#FridayFinds - The Olde Dutch Restaurant (Hocking Hills, OH)

About 10 years ago, MBB and I were in Hocking Hills for our very short honey moon.

We ate at The Olde Dutch Restaurant and had good memories of the food.

We were back in Hocking Hills this fall with friends and decided to head there again.

Not sure if it is time making our memories fonder than they were or COVID affecting the menu, but it wasn't as good as we remembered.

Chicken Noodle Soup (1 Star - very bland, no taste)
Sweet Potato Fries (5 stars) Brussel Sprouts (5 stars)

Open Faced Roast Beef w/ dressing
Not sure what stars MBB would give it, but he said it was good.

Namaste.

#FridayFind - Odd Fodder

We have been wanting to try a new dessert spot for awhile now, but it is a bit of a drive so it took us awhile. But never fear - we finally made it.

It was worth the drive, but if we make it back again - we will probably try to share one...They are huge!

Buckeye Dream

Death By Chocolate

Namaste.

#FridayFinds - Ming Moon (Falmouth, KY)

This post could be under #FridayFinds or #Remembering...

One of the things that I have missed since moving to SE Michigan is Chinese...

Specifically Black Pepper Chicken.

So, when we are back in Northern Kentucky to visit family, we always make it a priority to get back to Falmouth just to get their black pepper chicken.

Donuts - a favorite of the boys
(Also not at Chinese restaurants where we live now)

Black Pepper Chicken

Namaste.