Puttin' Food There on the Table

Tonight, I cancelled my plans with Sam because I needed to go home and get shit done. So basically, I turned down a lamb dinner she was going to prepare and an introduction to the container store which I feel is going to be very Nalini-esque. 

LifeTalk

I've been in a little work-life lull lately. It's been really challenging watching the majority of my friends head off to grad school in the pursuit of their dreams -- streamlining their professional careers and aspirations. At the same time, a lot of my friends have likewise said that it's tough for them to see me through some of my recent crazy life changes (getting engaged and buying a house)! 

I am lucky and appreciative of all the awesome life changes that i'm going through lately, but I still can't really get past the fact that, professionally, nothing's really falling into place as I once envisioned. When I was younger and started making lists of hopes, dreams and goals they were always professional -- never personal life aspirations. I wouldn't have wanted to go to an out of state college racking up loans and studying ridiculously challenging academic coursework (international affairs) if I just wanted to have a mediocre job which requires no real degree, purchase a home, get married and raise a family. God knows that would have also been so much easier in Florida -- financially speaking. So while I'm advancing in life in one way or another, it's just not the way that my brain always wanted to advance in life and it's taking a lot of mental work to get through this as life is blatantly showing me that some things are just not going to happen.

It's difficult to explain without sounding like I'm not happy with where I am in life. That's not the case. 

I just need a little professional life change. I also need to calm down and realize that success comes in many forms and as long as you're happy, you're successful. 

Montgomery Gentry's Song "Something to be Proud of" kind of says it the best. I've been listening to this song a lot lately. Music has always been my go-to and has also always helped me through most things in life. It offers you a piece of mind without having to sit down and talk. Highlighted part is my absolute favorite. 

"Dad, I wonder if I ever let you down

If you're ashamed how I turned out

Well, he lowered his voice, then he raised his brow

Said, lemme tell ya right now

That's something to be proud of

That's a life you can hang your hat on
You don't need to make a million 

Just be thankful to be workin' 

If you're doing what you're able 

And putting food there on the table 

And providing for the family that you love 

That's something to be proud of

And if all you ever really do is the best you can

Well, you did it man

That's something to be proud of

That's a life you can hang your hat on

That's a chin held high as the tears fall down

A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out

Like a small town flag a-flyin'

Or a newborn baby cryin'

In the arms of the woman that you love

Yeah, that's something to be proud of"

Listen to the song here

Speaking of putting food on the table, yesterday Sketchy and I had dinner on our new dining table. I made lamb chops for me with broccoli and roasted red potatoes and a chicken fajita situation for him. 

pre-baking

post-baking

my meal!

Sketchy's chicken

Sketchy's meal. Also found a use for the tiny plate thing I wrote about back in December 2012 that I made at fired-up. Perfect for this kind of spread. 

That's it for today. Mo will be here in two more days!