I have put more overtime in the last few days than I have in a long long time. I have one more presentation to go t a conference that I am really excited about. Both the topic of the conference and the topic of my presentation. Hopefully all will go well.

I do have to say that between this conference, bottling our wine next Thursday, and us being furloughed a day of pay on Friday, I only have to go into the office two days next week. Sweet!

So here I am about to take a pay cut of about 10%. And all I can really think about is new things. First of all, our winery is getting off the ground, which is a HUGE deal. Something that I fretted over for weeks. I have finally come to a level of contentment. It feels like everything is going to work out. So I am trying to start a saving plan for this endeavor, until we sell our first vintage. Because of course, our first vintage is bad ass and we will sell out in a matter of weeks. =) But seriously. I am optimistic about the future of this venture.

Second to the newness is a new car. My car, though hanging in there, is doing just that. It is hanging in there. I am probably a few hundred (maybe thousand) miles away from what will inevitably be an expensive trip to the mechanic. I don’t know what has clicked in my brain, but I think that a new car is in order. Which means there is test driving. And more budget planning. And justification. And I am just about there in the “convince myself it is a good thing” department. So maybe in the next few weeks we will engage in a discussion of what car I am considering and how many other “really” good things that money can go towards.

I love quinoa. I just don’ eat it enough. But one of my favorite things about it, is the little tail that popps out once it is cooked. Even if I didn’t like the taste of it, which I totally do, I would probably still eat it because it is just cute.

The best chicken ever from Smitten Kitchen.

I have been tagged a pessimist. I sometimes have a hard time believing that everything is going to be alright. But I have to say, no matter how naively optimistic it sounds, that today I am filled with optimism.

I am optimistic that I am in a country where the government is my government. Where my voice was finally heard.

I am optimistic that I am going to be a part of the change that is needed. That I am no longer going to sit back and blame government for the flaws of this country.

I am optimistic that my goals aren’t just my goals, but ones that a country is reaching for. That my job for the government is not fruitless and futile.

It is the first time, since I can remember really, where I might not hesitate to say that I am American. Because I want to believe, with all of my heart, that this time will be the difference. This time, my voice will be heard.