Life Gets Busy Sometimes

I really do want to be better about keeping my blog active with what is going on in my life. I guess its easier to let things get going to fast during the summer, because there's simply so much going on. With starting my new job, I actually do have more time, because I'm only working part time, which means I get out at 2:00. This is great in a lot of ways, because it allows me time to run (when its not swelteryly hot as it has been lately), grocery shop, clean house, and do many other things that need doing. Surprisingly, though, I just haven't spent much of that time on the ipad or computer lately. I guess I've been embracing summer and being active doing other things. The blueberry bushes around here are loaded, so I have been picking at Gail's quite a bit. Right now I think we have around 12 or 15 quarts in the freezer. Yay for blueberry muffins and pancakes this winter! Our garden is picking up as well, so before long I'll be spending all of my free time at Gail's in the hot kitchen, canning away our food for the winter. With all of the stuff we canned last year, we are down to only a few jars left of each type: greens, beans, tomatoes, stew/soup, and applesauce. We're going to attempt brine pickles again this year, this time a simple recipe. Just salt, dill, and garlic. We're attempting to rise to the glory of a local pickler (Joneski's), not sure about the spelling on that. They have the best brine pickles, and probably the only ones, I've ever had. One of the great things about working in a kitchen is that I can take home any of the big jars/jugs we use. So I've been stocking up.

As for the new job, its been going really well. I am working hard at learning peoples' names, and I have the hang of my duties pretty well. I still learn new things here and there, but the gist of what I do is in my head. The people I work with are really great, as is the environment, with the exception of the temperature in the kitchen. There's a long running debate on whether they installed air ducts in the kitchen or not, since the building was renovated only 2 years ago. Maggie (the cook/my supervisor) says there are ducts, but they only accounted for the square feet of the room, instead of what is in it (ie ovens, range, refrigerators blowing out heat, dishwasher, and sweaty cooks!). I'll keep the plumbing group that services BPI unnamed, as I know Dad and I would have taken this into consideration if we were doing the job. ;) Not that we do air conditioning. I'm just saying....

On a different note, I've been suffering a little of the "boonie location loneliness" syndrome. It comes from living in a small town, away from many of the friends I've grown to care about through the years. Not only do I live far away from a lot of my friends, I'm also a terrible communicator. I guess I can't be too bad, though, because most of my friends are too! ha! I guess I'm a bit of a hypocrite in expecting people to call me on occasion when I rarely pick up the phone to do the same. Selfishness I suppose, or sitting on my pity pot feeling like everyone else has a best girlfriend but me. Thats why I reiterated my feelings about my Mom on her birthday card last night. She's always been my best girlfriend. No matter who came, went, and moved away in my life, she has always been there. Always listened. Always cared. Always been available to hang out, something thats just not possible with many of my friends. And you know what, because she's my Mom, I actually do pick up the phone to call her, a lot actually. She's one of the few people I get over my phone phobia for. And yes, it is a phobia to some extent, because i'd much rather be on the computer than phone. Its easier, especially for an introvert like me. But you know what? Sometimes Facebook doesn't cut it. Its nice to talk to someone. Hear their voice, stories, and know that they care. I guess I just get lonely sometimes, feeling like we'll never be close to friends our age we can call and hang out with whenever. Especially couples our age.... I just got wind of a potential plan of one of our friends to move back to where their parents live after finishing school. I was naively hoping we could lure them into moving here, which would have been really awesome in a lot of ways. Shopping girlfriends meet motorcycle guy friends. :) If you guys read my blog, you know who you are... I can't judge though. I know I'd do the same thing. Wait, we did! To be honest, family has always been most important in both Adam and my life. Family always came before friends. Maybe because we're only children. Maybe just because of our relationships with them. But to some it all up, I'd rather be close and have great relationships with my family than live close to all of the friends in the world. So now I get off my pitt pot. :) I guess this has gotten long enough. I'll follow this post up with some old pictures i found. :) Peace out all.