The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

My life seems weird now that we have decided to slow down the operations at the restaurant. Our new focus on catering, take & bake, and working with some winemakers for special dinners is more fun and for sure, less stressful.

Now I have time to go to the gym, but am I? Not as much as I should! The excuse is I’m still decompressing, although I’m not sure how long that will be a viable excuse.

I’m finally reading again and recently finished two books and am on to a third. I’ve perfected downloading books from the library to my Kindle and iPad, saving me bookshelf space, and I don’t pay for books to download.

Best of all, this past Thursday evening, we went to drink wine and listen to music at the open mic night at the Royal Block. Mingling with friends, meeting new neighbors while listening to some interesting tunes with a glass of wine in hand was a treat. The best part of the evening is that I didn’t have to do the work, someone else had to clear the tables, ring up the sales, pour the wine, and bus the tables. This is a routine I could get used to. And probably will!

Even with extra time on my schedule, I haven’t managed to keep up with the laundry. I just look at the hamper and say “later, I’ve got plenty of time.” At some point, the time will come. In fact, it’s on the list for this weekend, I’m running out of underwear.

Of course, I still haven’t touched my tax preparations, and I still have my summer sandals taking up space in my closet, while my winter boots are in the attic storage bin. I’m sure the first snow will help prompt me to make the shoe switch.

To my credit, I am making some good use of my newfound time. I have my snow tires on! I delivered the first of many bags of clothes to St. Vincents, and I planted more tulips. Rome wasn’t built in a day, a little progress every day. And since time is not as precious as it has been, I am enjoying the luxury of procrastination.

The downside to having more time with less work is: I’m not moving as much. I will need to get to the gym, because I do not want to buy a new wardrobe! Without as much running around, I’m not as tired by the end of the day, so my insomnia has returned. This time, I’ve sworn off late night Amazon purchasing to read instead. However, with the holidays around the corner, it is difficult to restrain myself. I am bombarded with emails and ads, touting bargains I need to take advantage of immediately! I am standing firm! No more binge shopping from my iPad in bed when I can’t sleep!

The answer to my insomnia may rest with my rest free mattress. We recently ordered a new mattress and bed frame. My demand was a firm mattress, one more substantial than the three-inch futon we have been sleeping on. The ability to raise the head and foot of the bed was Daniel’s requirement. The new mattress will ensure sleep. Even with the cost of hiring an electrician to install bedside sockets, the new bed should save me money since a sleeping person can’t order off Amazon.