I need to be back!

Well, after a much-unintended hiatus, I am vowing to be back writing my soul out. Between being drowsy and just dealing with my current health issues this morning, it all came to me. OMG! It’s anxiety, my passive anxiety. Then the ultimate question was, ‘Why am I not writing? Am I still paying for all my site items? What am I doing! When was the last time I even did any writing?’ oh, so many questions ensued.

To say we live in a different world since my last post is an understatement. We were only a week into literal history-making moments, not just political but social-economic. So many problems arose from the pandemic for everyone. Please let me know if you can find someone that was completely unaffected. It is amusing to look back at that last post from March 2020. I honestly had a minimal perception of what was to come, so many up and downs. How different our world would look in so little time. I say little due to how old the Earth is and how long humanity has roamed it. These past three years have felt like an eternity and also like a flash. Ultimately I need to word vomit what has happened during this time. You wouldn’t believe me. So much good with a healthy dosing of heartache and lots of financial grief, which is probably what has caused this anxiety. Literally, for the last couple of days, I have had a tick on my thumb. It has actually escalated to that.

Thank you to Mallory Ervin, yes, I finished reading her book and just started her second. Something became clear, I need goals. So simple, yet it is something that I have never really had. Yes, that’s right, ladies and gentlemen, I don’t have goals; please try to keep your outrage to yourself. Again, being an immigrant child, my parents never pushed this on me, and neither did the education system. It wasn’t taught to me like, ‘Hey, you need a plan.’ so at almost 39, oh god, that is going to be my new ‘skill’ and vision boards, what!.

It is like any recovery; the first step is admitting the problem. The goal is to start writing once every couple of days. To start spilling everything I have bottled up in the last 3 YEARS. Also, I clearly need to update the whole website. I am just glad to be writing again!

XOXO

Ana

Oh 2019 is laughing at us!

Don’t you agree??? Most of us did say how awful and challenging 2019 was, little did we know or foresee what is now happening in the world today. I don’t think I’m the only one that believes that watching the news has become painful. So much death and destruction – quite literally – is all they have to talk about. I wish the media would start focusing on the good that is coming of all of this. The community coming together. All those ateliers starting to sow masks and gowns for healthcare workers, don’t get me started on that I could go on a tangent with how the C-suite has let them down. Restaurants becoming curbside farmers’ markets and adjusting to the current madness that surrounds us all.

The worst is yet to come, both in health and finances, I hate to theorize, but is simply history. We, as a society, clearly have not learned that it tends to repeat itself. It’s quite simple. Trust me, this all affects me, in multiple ways. Healthwise, I have an autoimmune disorder, so needless to say, I’ve had my fair share of anxiety over getting sick. Financially, I work in oil and gas, and there is no secret that it is without a doubt in trouble, which affects my whole life. Paying bill, job security, and plans that were previously arranged. Which leads me to the sadness that is my summer vacation. Memorial day vacation in New York City, without a doubt it will be rescheduled, but I’m still holding on to hope that this will pass soon, and we will be able to go.

WFH has been impressive so far and very different than it was before when I was a stay at home mom. This time I actually have to work. I am also a teacher, chef, and oh yes, the maid. That’s the new norm for parents, but the real question is, how do I burn all of my kids’ energy without leaving my apartment???

Well, my goal is to take my mind off of things and write a bit. Focus my energy on the good. I am going to go ahead write and finish a couple of my “Travel” posts and even one on the things we have planned for NYC. Crossing my fingers and praying for everyone during this time. Don’t forget to send messages to those you know that work as first responders or in healthcare. This all may be a sort of war, but it still takes its toll mentally. So check on your people, be kind and pray.

XOXO

Ana

the BIG move

What can I say, other than I am so glad the move is over, and yes I am fully aware of how delayed this post is – and yes I have been trying to finish it, however in the positive side of things, here it is! After packing what seemed for weeks. Getting all that anxiety and stress. It only took less than four hours to move from one place to the other. Then, unpacking and organizing. Which I almost think its more complicated and more time-consuming. It does matter how your bookcase contents get put in a box. As long as nothing is going to break, and this box going to take the weight – no one cares.

A new place means new layouts of your cabinets and then sizes of shelves, and I have figured out too sometimes its all an optical illusion. You know that “what’s the best place for this or that,” and just thinking about it makes me want to rearrange some things around. I think I changed the cabinets for the plates around several times! Oh, the hilarity of my OCD. But the good news is that most of the new spaces are done. And let’s be honest, time is moving way to fast. Life is way too busy. But being in a new place and being what I feel like 95% done, that is an achievement, a level up in life. You know that game you play on your phone when you’re bored, that hard level and you get the three stars, that’s what I’m talking about.

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The kitchen is complete perfection of space, function, and over the top organizing. Yes, my spice cabinet (See picture) is fully labeled. All the spice jars and food containers, everything has a place, my OCD went into a bit of an overdrive with this cabinet and the pantry. I think it was because I’ve never gotten a chance to do this. My last apartment had a very odd pantry. I think it’s also a trendy thing to do nowadays.  I feel like organization companies are now really shinning thanks to social media and also I’ve seen a lot more books on this subject too lately ( yes they are all secretly in my Amazon wishlist.) The Complete Book of Home Organization  Beautifully Organized: A Guide to Function and Style in Your Home  The Home Edit

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The living room is a comfy perfection, I’ve always said I’m a “bed-potato,” but lately, I have found my self spending more and more time on the couch. This might also be since I can’t seem to find a solution for my wifi to suck in my bedroom. I think I need to change my whole internet modem/wifi situation plus there is absolutely nowhere to plug in an extender, ugh. Regardless everything has its place, and it is somewhere you want to sit and enjoy. My bedroom is equally as lovely, and I finally have most of it done. I got this fantastic mirror from Capitol Lighting, which I am in love with. Hoping to get something, either a bench or a chair to stop putting things on the floor. Which will get resolved soon.

Everything else, I feel, is a work in progress. The Dining/Study needs a lot more work and tweaking of things. Definitely, lots of labeling which I have ordered, so that will be tackled soon. My son’s room is about 80%, I should give myself more credit, but I feel like something is missing in there. The porch is barren and needs lots of attention, which means time and money. So I am probably going to tackle this dead last. Besides it is now summer in Houston and let’s face it, the only reason I would want anything out there would be to get my tan on.

 

XOXO

Ana