POP!

I have been trying SO hard to stay positive and make things work.  I have been so intent on moving forward, but the bubble ALWAYS bursts.  It may stay there for a little while, but it pops in the end.. and I'm left where I was before.

Everything is always out of reach.  You ever had that feeling?  You can almost touch it and grab it.. pull towards you what you've wanted and work for.  Then SNATCH.  Gone.

It's been happening for quite some time now.  I'm not over it yet.. nor am I used to it.

Sometimes you just want to stay down. 

Tea Time

My family are big coffee drinkers.  When I was growing up, I remember Dad taking out the big air tight can of coffee in the morning, opening the lid and letting us kids smell the coffee grounds.  I still love that smell - I love the smell of coffee.. I just hate the taste of it.  Isn't that odd?  To love the smell but dislike the taste?

Once in a while at large family dinners or when Mom had guests over, tea would be served.  I never remember her using a teapot - only a microwave and the pedestal tea cups that went with her Corelle dishes.  For some reason seeing them drink tea meant the occasion was something special - and in our house - having any company over was special (especially since Mom would go nuts cleaning in anticipation of a visit).

I tried tea when I was a kid but never cared for that either.  It was less bitter than coffee, so I think after giving it a try over and over again I became accustomed to it. When I was in college, I always sat at my desk or on campus with a cup of hot tea at my finger tips as I poured over the course work.  The subtle flavors were always soothing and had a calming and refining feel.

Since college, I found myself drinking gallons of tea a day.  Okay.. maybe not GALLONS, but a lot!  I have an electric kettle that always seems to be on - and I'm the only one who drinks the tea.  I imagine I average about 12 cups (8 oz cups) a day - perhaps more on my day off from work.

Just before Christmas I went with my mother to a local antique shop.  One thing my mother has come to appreciate about having a gay son is that she has someone to go antiquing with!  Anywho... there is a little "restaurant" next to the shop we go to called "The White Linen Tea Room".  They serve high tea there, run a catering business and make the best scones I've ever had.  Usually I never pay attention to the place as I don't know many people who would enjoy high tea - and I never saw the pull of loose tea.  Why get loose tea when I can get the tea bag stuff at the grocery store for a few bucks less?

We ventured in to pick up a present for a friend of ours (they sell some interesting little gifts in addition to tea) - and of course to have a free scone they always give to customers.  I decided to pick up a box of loose tea and give it a chance.

The sales lady was very friendly and started telling me all about how to make tea properly.  I kept thinking, "umm.. you boil the water, drop the tea bag in (or infuser in this case) and PRESTO - tea!".  I never knew that keeping the tea bag or tea infuser in the water too long will spoil the taste of the tea.  Some teas are only meant to steep for three minutes, some six minutes.  After that, they can become bitter and the taste change drastically.

Who would have thunk it?  All this time I was making tea the wrong way?

So I went home, followed the directions and brewed my new loose tea in my teapot (I like the formality that can go with the tea culture so I always used a teapot and cups and saucers).  I let the tea steep for the five minutes it called for.  MMMmm!  So good!  If you're a fan of tea, I highly recommend treating yourself to some loose tea!  The flavors are better than anything I've had from a box off the shelf from Tops.

Tonight for the first time, I even noticed there are directions for making the tea properly on the box of a brand I do buy from the stores (I can't afford to be a total tea snob).  It's only supposed to steep for five minutes versus just leaving the tea bags in the pot like I always have.  So.. I tried it tonight (yes, I'm drinking some now).  Again - what a difference!  It does taste so much better!

I'd share my findings with my Mom, but she now only serves coffee to company.  Shame.

New Year - New Game Plan

Happy New Year to all my friends and readers out there in cyber land!!!  I hope you rang in the New Year safely and with the ones you love.

It is traditional for people to make New Year's resolutions.. promises of change and improvement that they intend to keep as the new year unfolds -- a fresh start.  Usually however, these resolutions fall by the wayside by February.

I however have a battle plan for this year to make some positive changes.  I do want to focus on eating healthier -- though I'm not doing the typical drastic dieting that many people do at the start of the year.. which causes their momentum to burn out in a week or so.  It will have to be a very gradual change with small baby steps towards an overall change in my eating habits.  My biggest obstacle (right now) is getting rid if the Christmas cookies!!!  Ugh, home-made cookies are my weakness!!

My second goal, which I have already begun working on, is my financial situation.  For those who perhaps don't know, I still live with my parents at the ripe old age of 29.  While I do have a small section of the house to myself consisting of bedroom, bathroom and small living room (plus my own entrance and patio), I crave my own freedom and address - not to mention more SPACE to call my own.

As my folks will tell you, saving money was never my strong suit.  With my new job position at work which has given me full time status, I have begun to make better financial plans for my savings.  I have gradually cut back on my spending - something else that is being accomplished in baby steps - but showing positive improvements.  I have enough money saved up for a month's rent... which seems rather insignificant to most, but is a far cry from not having a savings account at all over the past few years.

I have allotted a chunk of my pay check to be directly deposited into my savings account - the equivalent of what I plan to spend on rent per month - to build up funds.  I hope to be in the situation to move into an apartment before Christmas season 2012... but if it takes a few more months of savings past that, that works too... it's a fluid time line depending on what I can set aside and what apartments in my price range and area I'm looking to live become available.

One positive aspect of my past spending is that I have most of the essentials for when I do move out.  I have a small sofa and living room furniture - lamps - a full set of dishes - kitchen utensils and silverware - pots and pans - hell, I even have a vacuum cleaner.  It's now a matter of saving up for the rent and utilities.

It seems like a daunting challenge at times, but one I am passionate about and know I will achieve.  I look forward with great enthusiasm to achieving and sustaining this goal in particular and know it will be a positive change and step forward in my life.

I'm ready for you, 2012.. this is going to be a great year!!