sweet dee rupee: Oh, consistent keeper of the days and nights.

I’m on a two day hiatus in Chicago, my convenient bridge between the homes of each parent where my “city family” resides.

Detroit really fared me well (even though I didn’t make it to the actual city once, but I still claim it! = no shame). Really had a blast hanging with Dad, even though he had to work quite a bit. We have so much fun just hanging around the house. Well, he sits on the couch and I was zooming around working on cleaning/organization projects that included me being able to rake in about $200 change (Hallelujah Coinstar!).

Aside from cleaning projects, there were actual Christmas presents to be crafted: never in my life have I been so devoted (aka had the time for) making presents! I’ve been putting together photos from our trip in frames (that I pick up on the cheap at TJ Maxx/Marshalls/HomeGoods), knitting hats (getting pretty good at it, already cabling without a cable hook-=booyah!), and even making the occasional CD (by occasional, I mean one). It feels good to do fun little things for people, they’re so surprised by it! I like that.

I think part of the reason I’ve been able to invest myself in these projects is because I’m no longer looking for a job (though “looking” could be used loosely in terms of what I was doing). That’s right, a job found me. Starting January 16^th, I’ll be working at Virginia Family Practice with my auntie. Moving to the Richmond area will be a nice change of pace. There will be fresh air, windy roads, open space for yoga, perhaps room for a garden, and friendly neighbors. Maybe even a tall-drink-of-water-type, with cowboy boots and a southern accent? A girl could only be so lucky.

Chicago, I bid thee adieux. I made this decision about a week ago, made the announcement to family and a few friends, but now it’s official in cyberland. Once I leave tomorrow morning for the Natti (again), I will be returning to my adult home for only one more week in 2012 before heading to Richmond. So if you want to see me, get at me! Make a date, we’ll cook some dinner, drink some [insert beverage here], laugh our heads off, shed a few tears, plan for future meet-ups in other cities and countries, go for a bike ride, take a walk, walk a dog, peruse a museum: I’m down for it all.

What a whirlwind! I was ready to settle in Chicago for a while, get a corporate job, just be focused on money for a year or two to pay off my loans, but Destiny had something else in mind.

It was nice to find out about this opportunity the day before the Smith Family Christmas party, because there are many folks I had not seen or spoken to much in the previous years. Showing up, when pretty much everyone knows I’ve been a vagabond for most of 2011, and having a plan saved me from pontificating on what I might be or could be doing next and sounding like a total flake and put on the “loser” suspicion list(the aforementioned would have been my strategy prior to getting this job, luckily I can avoid the list now).

Aside from that, what a lovely time it was! Being able to see the family that I hardly ever get to see is always sooo much fun; the older I get, the less censored the stories they tell are! It’s so awesome. Those Smith’s are/were some stone-cold party animals, yeehaw. (Just ask Aunt Marlene about the flag pole incident, for example).

I felt like everywhere I went the past two weeks, I was able to spend quality time with people. Aside from plenty of quality time with Dad and the rest of the fam damily, I spent loads of time with all of my Michigan besties (or at least got to see all of them once or twice). From coffee dates, to beer dates, to party bus dates, to house-party dates, to dinner dates, to grocery shopping dates, I managed to really pack ‘em in. I feel so loved! Really.

I even found someone to momentarily serve as my muse (which I’m always shopping for a new one). This person inspired me to share some things that were difficult to say, to write a short-story about a single night and to make the best mix CD ever (not trying to be cocky, just speaking the truth), which is quite a bit of motivation for a three day period. The right people can really surprise you.

Thus, the past few weeks have been complete, full of people, love and surprises. A person can really only be so blessed, right? Good luck is definitely in an abundant supply.

Take today, for example. I had a little extra money (Coinstar, again) and wanted some Chicago Diner in my life, probably my last time. I biked over there alone, with a good book in my pocket. I walked in, stated that I was “flying solo” and was seated at my very own tiny table (which was sheer luck as the place was packed with the end of the lunch-rush crowd). The waitress was super attentive and had some food tips for me (some funky spicy mustard for my sweet potato fries, was totes awesome!) and even had another server send over a vegan peanut butter mint chocolate chip shake: what!? What an awesome, random thing to do! I was so puzzled, I asked her “Why me, what’s going on?” And she just answered “It’s a really good day.” She only charged me for my sandwich, so I tipped her big time. I’ve never had something like that happen to me, I love good karma!

It just keeps getting better. I’m looking forward to some more lovely time with the family this week, and for happy holidays and Christmases for everyone I know!!! Much love!!!

(PS So many horrible quality photos, my bad, I usually try to do better, but I can't blame myself for all of them...)