July Is Almost Here

Time seems to be going by so fast these days. When we were kids we complained after 15 minutes of not doing anything that we were bored. Now ... I would give just about anything to have 15 minutes when nothing needed to be done. My boss is always telling me that Sunday is supposed to be the Sabbath and we're not supposed to do any work. That we should sit back, do nothing, relax, and just reflect. That sounds great, in theory, but when you work all week AND you're married AND you're a parent AND you have a house that needs cleaning AND you have a family that expects to eat ... well let's just say my heart may want to take a break and relax, but my mind tells me to 'get up and do something'.

I guess we can say that I'm still a work in progress. Hopefully we can all admit that we deal with that dilemma from time to time. But if you've somehow managed a way to get it all together and actually take Sundays off, PLEASE let me know your secret. This week I was actually pretty excited and anxious to tell my boss that after church last Sunday I spent the better part of the day weeding my garden, pruning my overgrown perennials, and applying Miracle Grow to 'everything' outside except for my daughter (she doesn't need it since she's already 5+ inches taller than me ... lol). He sure knew how to burst my bubble when he responded with 'That doesn't count ... you're supposed to do nothing.' I definately felt a bit defeated. I responded with 'Why doesn't it count? I wasn't doing things on my TO DO list. I was doing stuff I enjoyed and that made me happy.' Did I mention I was on the debate team for 2 years in high school and actually made it to the State Finals? (I'll admit that I had a really good debate partner, but despite myself I learned a lot in the process.) Needless to say I think I made a good case for myself. I think we finally agreed that while I wasn't exactly doing nothing (and sorry to say I have a sunburned back to prove it) I was taking a break from the normal routine, which for me was a step in the right direction.

This week wraps up the month of June and this weekend brings with it a 4-day weekend and the 4th of July. As usual, I have things to do and things that need to get done, but I'm hoping that with the extra days thrown in I can take Sunday off. Perhaps pour myself a big glass of iced tea, sit on my patio, read my library book and enjoy the fruits of my labor ... I must admit my flower gardens look the best they've looked in a really long time.



I hope you manage to get some well-deserved R&R this weekend as well. But while you're celebrating the holiday with family or friends, please be responsible with fireworks (I saw a garage burn down last year when someone made a poor decision) and keep in mind the reason why we actually celebrate Indepedence Day. I have a nephew currently serving in Afghanistan who is away from his family fighting for the rights that many of us take for granted.

A Change of Pace

I haven't posted any entries in just over a month and I apologize. From my previous postings you know I broke my ankle. I've spent a good portion of my free time going to physical therapy. Things aren't 100% yet, but are progressing ... which is good. Ok, so much for excuses. It's not like I typed on the computer with my toes (as someone pointed out to me on facebook after my last post), so having a broken ankle shouldn't have slowed me down in that aspect. Well ... there have been some graduation parties and the end of the school year... those excuses aren't working either, huh? Guess I'll just have to take responsibility for my lapse in writing and say that I got distracted by 'life'.

I've been spending as much time as possible when I'm not working to read and work in my flowerbeds. Quite a change from last summer. This time last summer I was very tanned already, very limber, and was doing A LOT of walking as part of my training for the 3Day 60-mile walk in August. This year I decided to cross the event off of my bucket list ... been there ... done that. Instead I made a gift basket for a previous teammate who is walking again and having a fundraiser. I do plan though to be at a cheering station for this year's event. And for me ... I recently attended a cancer survivor's celebration luncheon.

This summer I decided instead that I needed to take a break (although I didn't think it would involve any crutches ...lol) and spend some time at home. I'm proud to say that my flowers have never looked better. I'm even playing Scrabble in the evenings with my daughter. I have 3 more weeks left of physical therapy and then I hope to be able to take some longer walks and perhaps go on some family bike rides.

A funny thing did happen to me though this past weekend ... as I was trimming a bush in my side yard I leaned over toward the bush and was surprised by a mother duck flying up into my face. Apparently my clippers upset her as she was sitting on a nest of 6 eggs. How was I supposed to know she was there or that she'd built a nest? Guess I should have known? I didn't think so. She flapped her wings at me, repeatedly quacked at me and flew off ... only to sit on a nearby rooftop and continue to quack at me. I quietly and discreetly cleaned up my mess and left her bread pieces as a peace offering. Apparently I've been forgiven because she is now back sitting atop her nest, but not without giving me the 'evil eye'. Did I mention I was REALLY sorry?