So I ended my last post by saying before you know it Thanksgiving and the holidays will be here....well guess what??? GOBBLE GOBBLE. This year Chaz and I have no plans as we're both slummin' it to work on Friday and I have grooming school (I can't say that without humming "beauty school drop out") on Saturday. By no plans I mean that I'm still going to cook like a crazy person. I can't help it, I love Thanksgiving. It's all about the pie...and the stuffing...and the cranberries. So my cranberries are mulled, my stuffing components except the bread, my crusts rolled out (chocolate bourbon pecan for work, and mission fig at home along with pumpkin spice cake) and my turkey going into brine. Speaking of figs...

There once was an empty little house in the Marigny Triangle with a lovely little courtyard and a fig and lemon tree. This little victorian camelback had a sunny little efficiency on the top floor and a balcony and deck for several a morning sipping french roast and nibbling on fresh pastries from the bakery on the corner. THAT HOUSE IS BECOMING OURS!!!!! The last visit to New Orleans we looked at this place and loved it ...perfect size, perfect location (four blocks from the french quarter), old house charm and the right price. Alas the last visit, the house was under contract but turns out the buyer got cold feet and we're in!!! With any luck we close by the new year. YAY!!!

I always try to believe that things happen for a reason. I didn't get the philanthropic foundation job at my current place of employment, and as disappointed as I was, had I gotten it, it would have kept us in the city we don't love longer and me in a big corp. environment longer. I have been going to Nash Academy and it's kind of soon to say, but I am really enjoying it. The other students are similar to me...tired of office work, love animals, want something different etc. Everyone is just your run of the mill nice person. Working with the dogs can sometimes be intimidating, but it's also a lot of fun. The Saturdays fly by and it's something I really believe I can do at exactly the pace and scale I want to do it. Work is pretty dreadful, but it's ok because I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have five months until I'm vested which is nothing in the scheme of things...certainly nothing after putting in four and a half years!

I'm feeling a bit run down but so thankful this year...so many great experiences, wonderful people and memories that will stretch into the next great adventures. I appreciate all the support that I have gotten over the years and for a fleeting moment can feel the calm and peace of knowing that everything is going to work out just fine.

Happy holidays everyone and make sure to love the ones you're with!!!

J