I've written numerous drafts in the past 2 weeks, and obviously not one has been completed. So here I am. A trooper. Writing yet a new one.

Work was tremendously slow today, and we were finished by 8:15. Goodbye, overtime. But I rode my bike home in the sunset in a state of bliss. Because riding one's bike home after a shift of work when it's beautiful out, everyone knows, is a high point of life. The day's stresses are blown away with the wind rushing past your face. Actually the wind today didn't 'rush' so much as kiss. it kissed my face and stroked my hair and embraced my body as it flowed around me. It was darkening to dusk and there were many delicious smells. I got a whiff of freshly-cut pine, the ever-present salty sea, and that indescribable smell of green, fragrant, growing things after they've been in the sun all day. Since we've been wallowing in a wet, grey puddle since I got back from Cultus Lake, the sun and warmth today felt especially nice.

Now my patio door is open and I can hear Milos coughing next door and night birds singing through the trees. it's dark, and there are lights on inside, but the air coming in smells so good and feels so fresh that I am hazarding a bug invasion and leaving the door open. Yeah, we're sceen-less. Isn't a screen a luxury?

Man, it's been forever since I've been off work before Shawn. What to do with myself? This past rainy week has been a heavy reminder of what winter will entail. My heart fills with dread at the thought of such boredom. Of course, I'll be working, and there is Mexico in January!!! Mexico Mexico Mexico!!! THANK YOU MEXICO!
As you can see, Mexico is the light at the end of my tunnel.

I've also been thinking up ways to keep myself busy. Like taking up knitting again and doing it with friends. I'll be working on the statue sketches and paintings all winter, too.

Oh, and there IS this ONE thing, I guess....Shawn and I and our friend that we're driving to Mexico with...decided while we were talking of Mexico plans....that we are all going to get our diving certs together! THIS FALL!! I am going to LEARN HOW TO DIVE!!!!

 Lookout murky depths, here comes 'fub.

fragrant and fresh

Well, I suppose all this work is starting to take it's toll. In the form of me hurting myself, mainly. The flailing 'fub of danger.

Shawn had to work at 6am this morning, and I didn't get off work last night until 11:30 (2 and a half hours of over-time!!!woo!!) - an early day, though, compared to that 2am shift...but I slept right through his waking up and leaving. I woke with a start at 7:30 and felt the emptyness beside me at once. When one is accustomed to waking up enveloped in warm arms and snuggled against a furry, pillowy chest, this is extremely unsatisfying. I got up, bleary-eyed, and fed Eastre some fresh salmon. Then I went back to bed and tried to sleep, because I knew I needed it. Soon a full and happy Eastre joined me, nudging her soft little head under the covers and curling up against my belly, purring loudly. I think that's what helped me finally relax and drift off again.

when I woke up again, still cuddling with a purring cat, it was 10. My stomach was grumbling, so I sautéed some onions in butter and proceeded to make some scrambled eggs, with a sprinkling of freshly diced tomato and the rest of the cold smoked salmon trim I'd saved and vacuum-packed at work while slicing the cold smoke (Britt told me I could keep it). It was sooo good. I toasted half a bun and ate it with that. Then I made myself some coffee.

I've realized that without a challenge, thrive I do not. I wilt. That is why this job has been so great for me. It's constantly challenging me, and I am loving the feeling of expansion. Being challenged brings out the best in me. I suppose that's true of most people. I realized that I even love the confusing challenge of learning how to get along with different kinds of people. Even if I am often naive and embarrassingly open, I'd rather be out there in the middle of it all than hiding outside of it all. These exciting dynamics bring new vigour and life and satisfaction. Falls and pains, too, but it's worth it.

eat a fish

I've got my second cup of decaf beside me. I didn't mean to buy decaf coffee, but I did, so now decaf is my wake-up companion. It tastes watery in comparison to the robustness I'm used to, but it's still a friend.

Fog has settled in, and will likely stay for the month of Fogust. We are enveloped in a misty, wooly blanket that blots out the sun and curls my frizz into tiny corkscrew curls. It's a time of echoing raven calls and stillness.

Lucille has been freed from the storage room. In case you forgot, Lucille is my pink bike. It's good to have her back. She is now my trusty work steed again.

I only had the one day off this week, but I get two off next week. I can't wait. Me and Maike are planning a beach fire for one of those days. She wants to invite the guy she's been crushing on. Love is going to blossom. Sparks will fly. Fish will be eaten.

madhouse

Yesterday I walked into complete madness at work. There was a random lady, who I found out was the wife of one of the fisherman, attempting to man the front, totally untrained - it was that kind of day. also the day when we ran out of our most used bags. We had to use the tiny hot smoke bags for our fish. we ran out of those, too, at the end of the shift - which just happened to be 2am, that's a 12 hour shift - when we were half-way done the last tote of fish. There was so much chaos, so many demands, and it seemed like we weren't equipped AT ALL for any of it. for most of the day I longed for the freedom to just walk out of that mess. Anyway, it'll probably be the same today...but at least I'm prepared! And I'm getting payed a LOT of over-time. I just gotta remember Mexico...Mexico....sunny, warm, relaxing Mexico.

A side bonus, this job is the BEST work out job ever. I burn so many calories at work that I can eat anything and it makes no difference. I've slimmed right down! And my arms and shoulders have bulked right up! A silver-lining. All us women that work there are getting pretty strong. I like that it's mostly girls there. We're just, well.... the best. at almost everything. what? it's true!