NOW WHAT???

My apartment is spotless, my dog is walked, my clothes are clean, the storage unit in the basement is organized, the plants are watered, my bike tires have air in them and my gas tank is full.  My bills are all paid, my fridge is stocked, I even matched my socks when I pulled them out of the dryer.  I don't think I've done that in...well, I don't think I've ever done that.

NOW WHAT???

Hmmm, the world is my oyster.  I could use a job, though, so if you know anyone who'd like to hire a very intelligent, hardworking, well-spoken, stylish and urbane lady with a great sense of humor to do, well, whatever, send 'em my way.

Coming soon: a thrilling recount of my latest visit home to StL.  Easter, my sisters' birthday, reorganizing closets, Julie's engagement!  What...a WHIRLWIND!

Don't judge...I love cleaning out closets.  I love cleaning out my closet and I'm pretty sure I love cleaning out everyone else's closets as well.  And I'm pretty good at it, too.  Just ask my friend Katie.  One afternoon with me and she's five bags of old clothes lighter and loving everything in her closet.

I swear, I got a rush when I looked at my newly organized and edited wardrobe.  I stared at my closet for a good thirty minutes on Saturday, which happened to be the the day that I finished a five-phase, three month closet renovation encompassing everything from throwing out old, stained, damaged clothes, making donations to the Salvation Army, trips to the resale and consignment shops, cleaning and the install of new shelving to house a plethora of accessories.

Now, allow me to explain myself.  Some people like art, furniture, kitchen appliances, cars, what have you.  I happen to love clothes, shoes, purses, scarves, gloves, hats, jewelry and so on.  My 2008 New Years' resolution was an experiment, if you will.  A challenge to myself: I was going to wear everything in my closet and at the start of 2009, I had to cleanse myself ( and rid my closet) of anything that I didn't wear.  This challenge took on a life of its own, forcing me to wear things that I had bought on impulse, items that I had held on to for sentimental reasons and old favorites that needed to be let go.  Not only did I succeed in building a wardrobe that I truly loved, but I discovered my own personal style along the way.

I felt so great upon completion of this project that I want to do this for everyone I know!  I love the feeling of opening up my closet and getting excited about what I'm going to wear each day...and I can find EVERYTHING.  I donated eight bags of clothes, I sold end of season trendy pieces and put a nice chunk of change back in my pocket, I even gave away shoes, and those who know me well, I am sure, are shocked.

All in all, this closet renovation was a great experience.  With my closet under control I feel like I've reclaimed a part of my life that I had neglected in the past.  Cleaning out your closet and editing your wardrobe is a fresh start, a new outlook and a big accomplishment.  We form attachments to our clothes.  They contribute to how we feel, be it comfortable, powerful, sexy, cozy, the list goes on.

Here's to my fresh start, my new outlook, my new wardrobe...and maybe YOURS!

WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?

I quit my job today.

I know this sounds crazy, but last week, I realized that I haven't been happy in over a year.  I have an incredible family, I love my friends and I live in one of the most amazing cities in the world, but I absolutely HATE my job.

I know we're in a recession.  I also know that good jobs are few and far between, but does that mean that I should submit and accept a life of misery just to earn a paycheck?  Let me tell you this...I don't make enough money to be miserable.  I don't think anyone does, so I'm leaving this life behind.

I don't have a great plan, but as always, I do have one.  My plan looks something like this:  work crappy 9-5 Monday thru Friday job, decide if I want to go to Grad School, organize closets for extra cash. It might not be the smartest plan, but it sure as hell beats waking up in tears.  It also beats crying myself to sleep and throwing up everything I eat.

I'm trying to be rational, Dad.  I know irrationality makes you irrational, ironic as that may be.

I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't secretly hoping that someone important would read this blog, find my humor, wit and honesty surprisingly refreshing and set out to publish my memoir, so I'll try not to disappoint.  I'll start this thing off right...

SUCK IT, RETAIL! KISS MY ASS, EVERY BOSS WHO FAILED TO LIVE UP TO YOUR JOB EXPECTATION WHILE AT THE SAME TIME CRITICIZING MY PERFORMANCE! PISS OFF TO EVERYONE WHO CHOOSES TO PLAY THE GAME INSTEAD OF DOING YOUR JOB!  FYI, CORPORATE AMERICA, YOU'RE WASTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS PAYING USELESS IDIOTS TO TELL YOU HOW TO BETTER YOUR BUSINESSES WHEN REALLY, YOU SHOULD BE INVESTING IN THE TALENT THAT YOU ALREADY EMPLOY!  NOW HEAR THIS: LISTENING IS THE KEY TO GETTING THE BEST OUT OF PEOPLE!  IF ANYONE HAD BOTHERED, IN SEVEN YEARS AND FOUR JOBS, TO LISTEN TO WHAT I WANTED IN MY CAREER, ATTEMPTED TO DEVELOP MY TALENTS OR TAKEN ANY INTEREST AT ALL IN HEARING WHAT I HAD TO SAY INSTEAD OF TRYING TO DECIDE MY PATH FOR ME BASED ON SOME SILLY "SKILLS MATRIX," (THAT UNDOUBTEDLY COST THESE COMPANIES MILLIONS) WE WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.

So, in the words of The Shins, "Give me your hand and let's jump out the window!"