I’m not even sure it’s possible, but I’m hoping that November is even more productive than October!

To-do for this month:

1. Write Christmas lists.

2. Read 3 books, possibly including:

1. In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto by Michael Pollan
2. Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews
3. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger or My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

3. Winterize my garden, front flower bed, and both side beds. 

4. Find & purchase a soap dish.  (This may sound way easy, but it’s really not.)

5. Make mulled wine.

6. Complete my barely started knitting project. 

7. Get a group together to go see ”The Twilight Saga: New Moon”.

8. Try a new type of wine.

9. Make dish(es)–pie(s), mashed potatoes, etc.–for Thanksgiving dinner!

10. Buy at least two Christmas presents. 

11. Pick up manure in arena & haul at least 10 loads of sand into the arena. 

12. Ride my horse at least 3 times per week.

I’m not really sure why, but October was a bit of a crazy month for me.  Goals were a good thing, even if they didn’t all get completed!  And I already started my list for November!

Here’s the post-month report:

1. Find & purchase at least one bookcase.  No - I located one on Craigslist, but then got the flu and it was gone by the time I was up to trying to go get it.

2. Look for a new dining room table.  Yes – I looked.  Didn’t find anything though. 

3. Find & purchase a photo album for our wedding photos.  Yes, love it!  Also ordered the first 100 pictures & they’re ready for their new home. 

4. Winterize my garden, front flower bed, and both side beds.  No. 

5. Place a ”for sale” ad for my horse.  Yes. 

6. Update boarding ad(s).  Yes. 

7. Complete my barely started knitting project.  No.

8. Mail care package.  Yes.

9. Buy at least one Christmas present.  No. 

10. Figure out our holiday plans.  Partially – hubby’s family knows what they’re doing, but my family likes to procrastinate  

11. Pick up manure in arena & haul at least 10 loads of sand into the arena.  Partially - I’ve hauled 3 wheelbarrows full of poop out, but have a LONG way to go. 

12. Take hubby to Columbus for his now belated birthday weekend.  Yes – and it was awesome.  See pics here. 

13. Meet up with some old friends at the Circleville Pumpkin Show October 21-24.  No – it rained all day…and have I mentioned that I’m a fair-weather-only kinda person?  I was very bummed we didn’t make it though.

14. Donate to a charity.  Yes - I donated to Robyn’s Nest, a non-profit animal rescue and adoption organization.

15. Read at least 3 books.  Yes - 4, actually.

16. Request absentee ballot for Nov. 3 election.  Yes – voted AND convinced hubby to vote, too!

Gone to the Dogs by Emily Carmichael

Chic lit, way girly, only finished it ’cause the main character is a Corgi and I’m a sucker for stubby, fox-faced canines.  Nothing wrong with the book, it’s just not my style.

Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris

Best Sookie Stackhouse book yet.  Loved it!  Sookie’s character has never been boring, but I find it difficult to identify with her.  (Blond, busty,  promiscuous, and usually ditzy–not too much in common.)  In Dead and Gone, she jumped off the page a bit more for me.  Now I really can’t wait for book #10 (due out May ‘10).

Dancing with Werewolves by Carole Nelson Douglas

Urban fantasy filled with buku amounts of old-timey/classic film and lit references.  This book was littered with crassness which–in my opinion–was unnecessary and didn’t add to the story.  Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a problem with vulgarity when well placed, but I felt the book was cheapened rather than enhanced by the language.  Very unique writing style–which I admire–but ultimately the book wasn’t my favorite.

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

Another urban fantasy novel, this one featuring Kate Daniels, who by the way just might be my new favorite heroine.  Kate is a mercenary whose specialty is killing supernatural monsters.  She’s kick ass, has a big mouth, and pretty much takes care of herself.  She also has a proper appreciation for good horse, which makes her just about perfect in my book.  In Kate’s world, there’s been a magical apocalypse leaving a conflict between magic and tech (technology).  Sometimes electricity, cars, and such work, but, during magic influxes, the world changes drastically.  I’ll definitely read Andrews’ next Kate Daniels book, Magic Burns.

The completion of #26, my list of 100 things that make me happy:

1. Naps.
2. Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream.  (And I don’t even like cherries, go figure.)
3. Lasagna & garlic bread.
4. Pay day.
5. Thinking about going back to school for my Master’s degree.
6. Greek mythology.
7. Comedians.
8. Potlucks.
9. The Burrito Buggy (unfortunately for me, it’s in Athens, Ohio).
10. Waterfalls.
11. Onion rings.
12. Rainbows.
13. Sunflowers.
14. Volunteer plants in my garden.
15. Giving/receiving a smile.
16. Receiving random email/texts from my oldest brother.
17. Hearing my younger brothers’ voices on the phone.
18. Clay face masks.
19. Watching Kori (the Corgi dog) rub his face.
20. Mimosas.
21. Back scratches from my hubby.
22. A barn full of gorgeous hay.
23. Fresh shavings in the horses’ stalls.
24. Headache-free days.
25. When my husband calls me to tell me he’s on his way home.

Still working on #26, my list of 100 things that make me happy.  This has actually been way more fun than I had thought it might be!  Here’s #51-#75:

1. Clean sheets.
2. A good run.
3. Warm, freshly baked bread.
4. When my husband sings to me.
5. Black & white photographs.
6. That time in the spring when I break out my flip-flops again.
7. The color blue.
8. Pickles.
9. Seeing a movie in the theater.
10. A toasted bagel with cream cheese.
11. The feel of freshly shaved legs.
12. My aunt’s apple pie.
13. Doggie play dates, especially when my mutt-dog behaves.
14. Penn Station french fries.  LOVE THEM!
15. Thanksgiving with the Hesses.  Turkey Day is my favorite holiday!
16. Visiting my Aunt Nancy & Uncle Ed at their farm in Pennsylvania.
17. White Elephant gift exchanges at Christmas.
18. Learning new things.
19. Ace-ing tests.
20. Eating dinner out.
21. Getting my Practical Horseman magazine in the mail.
22. The full moon.
23. Boats, even though I get slightly motion-sick.
24. True Blood on HBO, and House and Fringe on Fox.
25. Ferrets.

#26-#50 for my list of 100 things that make me happy (#26):

1. A successful grocery shopping trip.  To me, successful means I’ve gotten some awesome deals and have an interesting menu for the week.
2. Free photos from Shutterfly.
3. A good haircut.  (Which is rare for me!)
4. Finding deals & steals on Craigslist.
5. Babies.  Baby people, baby kittens, baby puppies, baby horses, baby anything!
6. Planting things in my garden.
7. Picking veggies from my garden.
8. Horse movies!
9. Homemade chili & cornbread.
10. Going to the library.
11. Finding new clothes/shoes that I love.  (Doesn’t happen very often.)
12. Traveling to new places.
13. Finding new favorite websites on the internet.
14. Making–and then crossing things off–my to-do lists.
15. Bookstores.
16. Campfires/bonfires, especially with marshmallows.
17. Finding a new favorite author.
18. Weddings.
19. Comments/messages/friend requests from Facebook and WordPress.
20. Hot tea in the morning on my way in to work.
21. Getting my stocking at Christmas.  It makes me feel like a kid again.
22. Victoria’s Secret.
23. House shopping, even though we’re NOT looking.
24. Waking up early, getting lots done, and then taking a nap.
25. Ice cream in general, Coldstone and Graeter’s ice cream in particular.

My mother-in-law called hubby yesterday to remind us that she needs our Christmas lists ASAP, because it’s only 8 weeks until Christmas!  Yes, it’s that time of year again!

Let me preface the list by explaining why I’m writing a Christmas list at 26.  No, it’s not because I’m a spoiled brat.  Actually, in my family adult Christmas lists aren’t really done.  In hubby’s family, however, they’re expected…and the earlier in the year the better.  I have to say, I’ve come to value the beauty of the Christmas list.  It allows family who want to give a gift to do so in an enlightened way, rather than taking a blind stab in the dark. 

So, when I write my Christmas list, I’m not saying “yo, buy me shit”, I’m saying, “hey, if you happen to want to get me a gift and need an idea, I’ll helpfully supply some.”  And of course I appreciate the same, for those in my family who care to write a list of their own.

And, here it is:

1. Lowe’s gift card.

2. Showcase Cinemas gift card.

3. JoAnn Fabrics gift card.

4. Victoria’s Secret gift card.

5. Little black dress, size 6, black (obviously ).

6. Windbreaker/water-proof jacket, size M, somewhat fitted.

Hush Puppies Bassa in Dark Brown Leather

7. Brown shoes, size 9.5, with 1.5″ or less heel.

8. Tall doggie/kitty/horse socks.

9. Satin PJ’s and/or a nightshirt, size M, extra tall, any color.

10. Down or fleece vest, size M, somewhat fitted, extra long–i.e. long enough to cover my hips, any color except pink.

11. Blue London jeans, size 8, 36″ inseam, mid rise, dark wash.

12. Pressure canner.

13. Herbal teas.

P.S. Kori and Karli dictated their Christmas list to me.  They want doggie treats.  And Earthbath all natural doggie deodorizing spritz.  And more treats.  Micky says he just wants tuna.

What’s on YOUR holiday list this year?

Working on #26, my list of 100 things that make me happy:

1. Cuddling with my husband.
2. Holding Kori (our Corgi dog) like a baby.  He actually likes it.
3. Hot showers.
4. Getting a hug from my horse.
5. The smell of oats.  (Not oatmeal, but real horsey oats.)
6. Hearing my girls sing their ”I’m a happy hen, I just laid an egg” song.
7. Pasta.
8. A good Mojito.
9. Pancakes/waffles with homemade jam & whipped cream on top.
10. Hearing my kitty’s “chirp” the moment he hears me opening a can in the kitchen.  He’s convinced it’s tuna every time.  Micky is Pavlov’s classical conditioning in action.
11. Hot chocolate on a cold day.
12. The beach.  I could SO live at the beach.
13. Cooking/baking for pleasure.  I really enjoy cooking in general, but cooking for fun is so much better than rushing to get dinner done on a Wednesday night.
14. Fleeces of any type.
15. The sun.
16. Swimming.  (It’s very difficult to be a klutz in the water.)
17. When my hubby brings home a Praying Mantis for my garden, even though he hates bugs.  That’s true love!
18. Reading a book that makes me think about it long after I’ve put it down.
19. Popcorn.  My comfort food.
20. Driving with my sunroof open and my radio up.
21. Mondays, which I have off.  It’s nice to have a “me” day, since hubs is at work.  Sometimes I’m uber productive and sometime’s it’s a lazy day.  I love that I can chose.
22. Doggies that smile.
23. Finding long-lost friends on Facebook.
24. Phone calls from my Grandpa.  Hearing his voice makes me smile.
25. Roses.  I hate to admit it, but I’m a classic rose kinda girl.

I’ve tried to write this post a couple of times.  And so far it’s ended up blank every one of those times.  This time, I’m just going to spit it out.  It may not make much sense, but at least it’ll be here instead of still just sitting on my shoulders.

I was extremely fortunate to have been offered a job almost a year ago which, at the time and for many reasons, served my needs perfectly.  However, I accepted the position knowing full well that it was not a long-term match for several reasons, which I won’t go into because they’re not really relevant to my current conflict.  (My supervisor and I discussed these issues when I was hired and agreed that the position would probably end up being relatively short-term for me.)

I’ve been having the “where do I go now?” conversation with myself a lot lately, for a couple of reasons.  One, my annual review is coming up next month and I’m pretty sure the subject will come up then.  Two, I’m having a mid-life crisis. 

Yes, I have come to the conclusion that I’m having my mid-life crisis at the ripe old age of 26.  Why, I have no idea.  Ok, if I’m being honest with myself, I know.  See, I had this novel idea that I would graduate from college, buy a horse (first things first afterall), find a dream job, and work my way up the corporate ladder to a leadership position.  Tada, career!  I had this notion that hard work, dedication, loyalty, selflessness, etc. all paid off in the end.  I don’t want to sound jaded–I’m not, just more realistic–but I know now that that’s not entirely how the world turns. 

Ok, back to my mid-life crisis.  It’s because my life needs new direction.  I need to have my life/job/career mean something.  You know–I want to make a difference, do something meaningful, all that jazz.  So…

Goal: find new direction for my life. 

I’ve come up with three possible options:

     1.   Have a baby.

Because this completely re-focuses your life, correct?  On days when I’m having baby-longings, this seems like the answer to my mid-life crisis.  I mean, a child totally gives new meaning to your life, right?  However, I also have days when I think my main problem is lack of mental stimulation.  On those days, I’m pretty sure having a baby isn’t going to solve much.

     2.   Find a new, more career-oriented job.

Really, this is the solution.  It’s just a matter of finding the right fit.  However, after 3 years of constant searching and a year of “keeping-an-eye-out” searching, I’ve come to the conclusion that there really aren’t any equine/animal sciences/research/veterinary jobs in Dayton, Ohio that fit my credentials.  (Bachelor’s of Science @ OSU, majored in Animal Sciences w/focus in Equine Science, minor in Communication, reproductive physiology research exp.) 

Major Concern(s): This decision leaves me with a requirement: MOVE.  Probably out of state.  Since we just bought a house and are still paying for our wedding, this isn’t really feasible.  At least not right now.

     3.   Go back to school for my Master’s in Equine Reproductive Physiology.

Also a valid solution, providing a Master’s degree can actually help me get the type of job I want, not just land me with more student loan debt.  This was where I was headed in 2005 (when I graduated from undergrad), before a few road blocks fell in my lane.  

Major Concern(s): Same as above for solution #2.  Also, I would have about 20-30 credit hours of pre-req courses I’d have to take before I could even apply to grad school.  And I’d have to re-take the GRE, since my score from 2004 doesn’t count anymore.

Ah, dilemma, dilemma.

Here’s where a few personal stories would be quite helpful.  Anyone care to share a similar story, preferably with your choice and how it turned out for you?

The bad news: I have the flu.

The better news: I have extra time to visit my fav websites from my sickbed (aka the couch).

The best news: While visiting Stephenie Meyer’s website, I found out she’s secured a deal to make her adult sci fi book, The Host, into a movie. 

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

So. Freakin’. Excited.

Like her Twilight series, Stephenie Meyer’s The Host is driven by her characters and their relationships.  I can’t wait to meet Mel and Wanderer/Wanda, Jared and Ian, and Jamie.  I fell in love with them when I read the book.  However, the writer & director for the screen adaptation, Andrew Niccol (Gattaca, The Truman Show), will have his job cut out for him.  His great challenge lies in the fact that the majority of the story centers around the internal conflict between two of the main characters–Mel, the human/host, and Wanderer/Wanda, Mel’s alien “soul”/hostee.  (Here’s a review of the book, for those who haven’t read it and are now thoroughly confused.)  Pulling off the inner dialogue, and pulling it off well, will either make or break this movie.  But–if Mr. Niccol does a good job–the movie version will be well worth the 2 hours and $20 to see in the theater.  (And yes, it will be $20, because I will insist that hubby come see it with me. )

♦

And now, in my flu-haze state, I’m going to indulge in a little dream casting.  Not my normal pastime, but I’m bored.  Humor me…

♦

Mel ~ has to be brunette, strong-willed, intelligent, above average height, tough, pretty but not drop-dead gorgeous, 20-ish, and above all athletic.  My picks:

Evangeline Lilly

Ashley Greene

Sophia Bush

Jessica Biel

Wanda ~ should be blond, pretty, extremely petite (doll-like), early 20’s, and expressive.  My picks:

Dakota Fanning

Emilie de Ravin

Hayden Panettiere

Jared ~ handsome, brooding, protective, tallish, late-20’s to early-30’s.  My picks:

Ian Somerhalder

Drew Fuller

Christian Bale

Ian ~ built, boyish, mid- to late-20’s, ability to be intense, and lovable.  My picks:

Jared Padalecki

Chris Pratt

Jamie ~ Mel’s brother, a boy on the brink of manhood.  My pick:

Josh Hutcherson

Jeb ~ rough n’ tough hiding a soft heart, mid-50’s, a little crazy, and authoritative.  My picks:

Jeff Bridges

Hugh Laurie