September has been along and tiring month. It has been non-stop with both jobs. The day job has been busy as we just did a big hiring spree. Accounting professors never tell you the student how much doing payroll stinks.

Feeling Awful

I have been feeling awful since last night. I know what is causing this feeling, my dinner from Sunday night. We went to a restaurant that has a gluten free menu. I ordered a pan seared chicken breast stuffed with apples, pecans, and sage, basmati rice, and grilled asparagus. The stuffed chicken breast was dry and the stuffing lacked flavor. It needed bacon and/or cheese. All I know is I will not be going back to this restaurant again. We went there one other time before my diagnosis, and we were not crazy about the place. Everyone raves about this place, but to us, it is just overrated. A lot of the wealthy people eat this dining establishment. I am coming to realize that we both prefer "hole in the wall" establishments.

As of right now, I am miserable. It is hot in the office, there are no windows to open up, and I feel awful. What a great Monday.

Peanut Butter M&M's Rule!

I finally found peanut butter M&M's. This type of M&M is kind of tough to find in my area. These are one of my favorite candies. M&M's and 3 Musketeers are my absolute favorite and are gluten free.

I found another cheese that I am starting to like, smoked mozzarella. I used it last night on my balsamic glazed chicken. I found the recipe in one of my favorite Food Network TV personality's cookbook, Rachael Ray. I can't wait for lunch today, leftovers. I am of a rare breed, I actually like leftovers. I guess that comes from growing up dirt poor and learning how to make ends meet with inexpensive food.

Food Appreciation

Since learning of my gluten intolerance, I am starting to appreciate cooking for myself and my boyfriend more and more. With the help of some gluten free cookbooks, gluten free blogs, and other blogs, I am starting to understand that there is more to cooking than just satisfying your hunger. I love the smells and seeing the happiness on my boyfriend's face just to have a home cooked meal. I actually now look forward to cooking on my nights off. Thank you to everyone for your cooking ideas.

18 days 'til Autumn

Only 18 more days until Autumn (September 23rd). The first day of autumn has to be my favorite day of the year. The nights start to get cooler. The air is crisp and refreshing. The leaves on trees start to change colors. High school and collegiate football starts (Go U of D).

When I was younger, this was my favorite time of the year because school started. This meant less time with my father. This was always a good thing. During the fall, I would do my homework in my bedroom with the windows open blowing in the crisp air and listening to alt. rock. School was the one place I could get sanity, especially as I got older. Back home, fall meant harvest and the start of big hearty meals.

Years later, fall is still my favorite season of the year. I enjoy the fact that there is less and less day light each day. No need for air conditioning during the fall. I also enjoy the colors of fall, the nice deep purples, red, browns, oranges, and yellows. Everything in the fall just seems so much deeper and I am happier during this time of the year.

Long Month

This past Saturday was my first day off since the end of July. I know I took a vacation in the middle of August, but I don't really consider that time off. It is time off from work, but it is not time off from doing things. Once in a while, I need some time to do absolutely nothing. I had that chance Saturday evening. It felt so good.

Saturday night's rest was well needed as I would be working my part-time job all day Sunday and Monday. As with any holiday weekend, the retail stores love to huge sales. Well, the retail store I work for joined the other retail chains. For the most part, the guests were polite. However, there are always a few bad apples. These bad apples expect us, the associates, to make special exceptions because they are so and so and they spend so much money in our store(s). I try my best to work with them, however, there are times I just want to tell them to get the hell out of the store. I think Nickelback's song Rockstar (great song, by the way), sums up how some people act today.