So folkies, the time is ripe for another blog. I’ve been inspired by two friends who are both better bloggers than I. And I totally predicted not blogging again until October, so I feel like I’m right on track actually. To quote Bob Dylan, for Susan “the times they are a-changin”. I’ve had some pretty major life happenings happen, so here is a list detailing each one in probably more detail than you care to have.

Probably the biggest change in my life would be the fact that I got a full time job. I’m four weeks in at the WIC program in West Valley. This last week I’ve been on my own a-dietitian-ing away. I’m trying to figure out how to say “your child gets too much milk” and “your child gets too much juice” in different and creative ways… Any suggestions would be helpful. And if you want to hear a lecture about breastfeeding, I’m your gal. But please don’t, I’m really sick about talking about breastfeeding. But everything is pretty good, I like working with kids and dealing with pediatric nutrition, so this is a great first job to get some experience in. Who knew that a catatonically shy kid would be meeting a dozen strangers a day and talking with them for extended periods of time about personal issues? Certainly not me, or anyone that has known me for the past 25 years for that matter. But here we are.

But now I feel like a bona-fide adult. I just figured out my benefits and insurance, which up until now has been a complete riddle. Honestly, it is still a bit of a puzzle, but I figure as long as I don’t get sick, EVER go to a hospital or dentist, and don’t get into an accident, I won’t have to worry about it ever again. That’s my goal. And speaking of adulthood, I actually have to work a job that I can’t goof around in, FOR 8 HOURS A DAY. Primary’s gave me that sweet luxury, and I’m having a hard time not checking my email all day, every day. This blogging I’m doing now is not exactly allowed, but I’m waiting for someone to come train me in taking blood (which I don’t have to do, so I don’t know why I have to train…), so I can’t really do anything else. And this getting home at 5:30 is bizzare. I never really had late classes, and if I did they were sporadic. And I got out of Primary’s by 2!

I sound like I’ve never had a full time job before. I have, several in fact. I’ve actually had a 9-5 (sometimes 7) job before at The Winner School. But for some reason it felt more like play, less like work. And it was summer, so you don’t feel like you’re late though, you know? And I had the most crap-tappy work schedule at Los, I had to work late nights and weekends. So I don’t know why this 8-5 schedule is working me so hard…. But I’m getting used to it. And three cheers for no more school ever!

The best news is that fall is upon us. This is by far the best season of the year. I don’t love the heat of the summer, I don’t love the cold of the winter. But fall is just delightful because I can wear cardigans all I want, and still wear a skirt! Also, who doesn’t love the leaves? I get to sit by a window and look out all day, and it’s wonderful. The other night I was with my bud Jennie at Market Street Grill for some lame Enfamil dinner (no, it wasn’t a dinner comprised of Enfamil, just a presentation about it), and I looked out the window and it was so beautiful. I wanted to get a picture, but alas I have no smart phone. The trees were that awesome half green half red, the mountains were in the distance, it was magical. And it means cozy holidays are coming like Thanksgiving and Christmas. I mean, honestly, find me a better time of the year.

And speaking of holidays, who doesn’t love Halloween? It’s getting to be a much bigger deal than I remember as a kid. So many decorations, so many parties, it’s a whirl. This year it’s been a very expensive whirl, I’ve had to make stuff for work, church, and friend parties. But tis the season, yes? This year my pal Jen P and I are going as hobbits. Since I started this blog after college, I have never mentioned that I have, in fact, dressed up as a hobbit twice before. Once for Halloween my friend Tracee and I did the whole sha-bang, gluing hair on our feet and everything. The second time I dressed up it was for something else, which is not important to mention here, but did not want to spend the 2 hours gluing doll hair to my feet. Not worth it. But for this year’s Los Halloween extravaganza, I’m biting the bullet and doing it again, should be fun.

UPDATE: I went to my party and Jen P ditched. So I went as a server from Los Hermanos. Clever, no? This is a picture of a few of us that night.

On a sad note, my dear friend Jane is slowly slipping from us. For those of you who don’t know, Jane is my little red Mazda 626. This picture is not Jane, but she looks like this.

She is 16 years old, and it shows. She’s got ringworm looking splotches, one missing hubcap, and a cracked taillight. Unfortunately, that is only her cosmetic problems. In the last few weeks she: started smoking under her hood and had to have some radiator tubes replaced, got two new tires put on, got a new battery, got a new water pump, and stopped shifting into next gear. I have had to go behind her back and start looking for new cars. And unfortunately again, my parents won’t spring for a new one. So this one is all me. Growing up again. And then just this morning she got grape juice spilled all over her backseat. Tragic.

On a happier note, I just came back from a visit to Chicago where my favorite people in the whole world live. No, not Ferris Bueller, no not the rag tag gang of kids from Adventures in Babysitting, it’s Sam and Ainsley! You had to see that coming. Sam is practically an adult now it seems like. He went from slobbery little newborn to a little guy who can hold his head up and almost put his own food in his mouth. He is also the proud owner of his first Tonka truck given to him by his sweet Aunt Suey. And the little Ainsley-bug constantly amazes me with how grown up she is. However, she seems even more disinterested in me. She'll have Suey-jags where we play together a lot, and other times where she can’t be bothered. But with 4 adults vying for her attention, I’m sure it’s a lot to handle. But Chicago is always fun. We went to a cool science and industry museum where we got to go aboard this U-5234897235, or something like that. It was a u-boat they sank in WWII that has been preserved and is fully intact in the museum. Made me want to watch a sub movie, but not that I’m home, I’m thinking not. We also went to the Navy Pier, and the restaurant owned by everyone’s favorite cheesy Mexican PBS food show host Rick Bayless. It was called Xoco, and I got a sandwich that was pretty good. Not exactly sure what was in it, but you could tell the restaurant was owned by someone who is semi-famous. Big long line, layout is a bit pretentious, etc. But food is good, so you deal with it. I have never been more ready to not come home.

And finally, a shout out to the tech friends. I still get to see my tech friends from PCMC every couple of weeks, which is nice. I still technically work there, a few shifts here and there on weekends. Last night Jennie, Jenessa, Hannah, and I had a soup and cornbread party and carved pumpkins. Jennie’s was pretty pro, she put a picture on her blog which I’ve linked to, so check it out. I forgot mine that I bought four days ago for the occasion. So sad. And I brought grape juice and dry ice for a witches brew. That may or may not be how poor Jane got stained this morning….