Relax....

I forgot all about morning pages for a few days there. I headed to to the beach and that was that!

Thursday M and Yo and I went to a tea tasting at Essencha Tea House. Interesting and I thought it would make a great first date for someone. W met me back at the house and spent the night. Friday W and I got up at 3:45 to be ready out at the front of the lake to meet 3 other beach goers and make our way to the other 2. So before 5am we were on the road. We stopped at Bob Evans and then at Chickfila and then made our way all the way to the beach house this year to check in on Friday night. Then back out to dinner at The Conch Cafe. I had fish tacos and recommended them to the new girl K. She did not like them. Then we went to the grocery, which I have always found interesting every year, but this year the dynamics are all askew. Our youngest member died in December after a 3 month illness. And then my roommate and mentor decided she couldn't go with us. None of us really knows why and she isn't explaining, just saying she has some things preventing her from going. I  was heartbroken. K is taking her place and we just stayed one short this year. K has been a good fit. Sweet, talkative, nice, active- she's more of a talker than a listener.

Saturday we got up to walk and then set out breakfast and got on the beach by about 10. Amazing! We have fruit and grains for breakfast. Its such a welcome treat to have so much to choose from in the morning sitting there. I start with a bowl and throw in yogurt, granola, strawberries, apples, oranges, bananas, blueberries, blackberries, grapes and cantaloupe. Then I have WG English muffin with pb and homemade j K brought. Delicious.

We go back out to the beach for awhile and I continue reading Fifty Shades of Gray. Have I mentioned I'm reading that? Interesting. Smut, but good reading. Then we ran to the shops at Pawley's Island. Cute shops and then the other house guests across the street started arriving. They have new people too.

Dinner on Saturday was Bovine's for the horse races. I had clam pizza and it was a bit spicy. But  I also had a pomegranate margarita and it was fabulous. We started playing Scattagories. K apparently doesn't like games like this because they make her feel stupid. Why? She's really funny and we are all making answers that are funny but she's a little fragile I think.

Sunday the in house drama started a bit. Jealously is our main problem. A few of us wanted to run to a consignment store and comments were made. I reacted with an instantly red face and exited the area before I blew up. I am not a drama queen. I hate confrontation, making anyone feel bad or unwanted or uncomfortable for that matter. BUT at the same time I am not responsible for how someone else feels or reacts. So I'm gonna just relax.

What I've really noticed lately is that the characteristic I most dislike in people and that I want to work on myself is JUDGEMENT. Why oh why are we all so judgemental. Tired of it. It makes you look petty and frankly stupid that with the time you have here you are going to spend it accessing other people and their actions and make personal judgements on that. And I'm guilty too so enough of that!

Sunday evening we ate at The Gulf Stream and had the early bird special. It was delicious.

Monday we spend after breakfast and after lunch at the beach and then had to make an early exit because it was blowing up a storm. We headed out to Russell's and met up with the some of those from across the street.

Tuesday we spent running around at consignment and thrift because the weather was spitting rain or downpouring rain all day.  Again someone made a big deal out of nothing and seriously they are getting on my last nerve. But alas highlight of my day was finding these shoes...
$649 online seems to be the going price. I also found an adorable glass mini pitcher but the resident house mother took it from me. Ok she begged and I gave it to her but still. She begged.

We walk in the mornings and this year we've been walking on the beach. I love it. One of the things that keeps me coming back each year. Today is Wednesday and we spent the entire day on the beach in the sun. Gorgeous perfect day on the beach with the sun shining. Then off to dinner at the Hot Fish Club. Good food, nice view. I'm getting more disillusioned with this trip though. It just takes one to be bossy and tell me when to do what that I start cussing in my head and thinking this is ridiculous. I'm a grown girl seriously I don't need someone to dictate, that's the right word, when I should do what. Really.

Things I love about the beach trip....
there are several people I really like Y, G, K, L, B, J, and there are those I tolerate.
there are sunny days with my feet in the sand and the salt on my tongue.
I get to hear the waves coming in and out, in and out, in and out.
I get to sit on this porch, read, type and cruise the net with the free wifi.
I get to eat lots of variety of foods both in house and at  restaurants.
walking on the beach in the morning and evening.

So next time someone is telling when to do what I need to remember those things and flow.

Break dreams

Good Morning! First time I've seen 5am in awhile. The boys got up to go fish and made so much noise I'm awake. I figure since I have to get up and go at 4 am tomorrow for the beach I might as well put in some early hours so I can sleep tonight. I've been staying up till midnight or later and sleeping till 8 or later. The girls sleep around all day and are out for the night be 10 then they are rearing to get up by 8. Stella's awake now. Shocking.

I have got to amp up the workouts this summer. I am constantly surprised at how little free time we have in the summer. You'd think since we aren't working out regular jobs we'd be left with tons of time but no. We are still hurrying around and fighting to get in bed at night. I'm sure it will change but I've been trying to get ready for the beach, the boys have been on 2 fishing trips already, I have another beach trip in July and they have another fishing trip. Sad to say we are going in such different directions this year but they want to fish and I, well, don't. When they were going to Key Largo I would trade some fishing time for some Florida time but not Lake Sinclair. Not sure I'd enjoy that much. They are waanting me to go this next time with them but I think not.

Yesterday I got to looking for last year's girls' beach trip scrapbook when I realized I don't have one! I have no pics from 2011 scrapped and not ever 2010 is done! and it's 2012! Wow I need to scrap like mad this summer and get caught up. This is insane.

Yesterday the boys continued getting their act together for tournaments, Hubs mowed (that takes forever) and Bubs finally detailed my car. Hubs then was need to take the pontoon up to help some elderly people from the local nursing home, Bubs had basketball and then they both had weightlifting, and we all finally met up for a concert planning meeting. Our church small group is bringing Building 429 to Blanchester in August. They are a large group so all the details are mind blowing. We have to talk to multiple agents, get prepared for 2000 people and then have faith the money will fall into place. So far it has. Amazingly people come out of nowhere to make this happen. Really praying that all the details will be covered. Lots of work ahead.

I finished The Seminary yesterday. That's the book my friend from church wrote and asked me to help edit. It was really good and I enjoyed it. I don't think he thought I'd find so much since when I called to tell him I finished he asked if I found anything. Yeah. 71 things actually. I hope he is still speaking to me after this. Students come in all the time and ask me to read things. They are expecting me to spew accolades. You got the wrong gal. I give an honest opinion. Not to say it isn't great! It is but I see errors and tweaks and if there is the opportunity to fix it, well I figure that's what you want right? I hope so.

The girls have gotten comfortable together.

Spring yard sale items

 Prom favors

 OOTD with scary hair

 The new girl got her pic taken by the resident 14 yr old.

 Some Pinterest in action

 Summer wedding OOTD

 One day I thought I lost Stella... found her, can you?

A trio of bunnies have moved into the field

 80% of their day

 OOTD for book club at MJ's

 the other 20%

 the girls see the bunnies who amazingly come to the fence to play!

 the girls realize they can't leave the fence

 so back to napping

And this my friend is how I plan to spend my entire break...

I count it as a privilege

I will never again hear an owl and not think of Wesley. What a heartwarming little book.

Through our 'new' church I met Beth and we talked books. I suggested a few and brought her a few and awhile back she mentioned her husband, pen named Stefan, wrote a book. Well me being the reader I am I wanted to know how to get the book and asked a bazillion questions. Stefan then came and talked to me showing a mother's love for his book. He showed me the proof and we talked about $ and process. I told him to let me know when it was ready I would love to read it. Yesterday after church Stefan tracked me down and asked, "Are you a fast reader?" Absolutely. "Then take this and mark it up for me if you will. I need to make the changes before it goes back to my editor and I've read it too many times." I'd love to. So I got in the truck and read while Hub's drove.
Now when a student says they've written something and will they read it they really mean will you praise me for it. And 9 times out of 10 it is pitiful. So I was a little worried this would be the same since he was funding it himself and not going through a major publisher. I was WRONG. The Seminary, the working title, is good. Great so far to be honest. It's edgy and brings suspense in all the right places. I'm loving it. His writing is good as well as the theme. His characters are sharp and well rounded. Nice, nice job Stefan.

Yesterday a friend of mine who just started a business posted something business related on his Facebook. I noticed a glaring grammatical error and messaged his phone. We had a mini grammar lesson and he
edited the post:I would like to thank a Blanchester High School librarian who lives near a private lake who wishes to remain anonymous, for pointing out in my status above....its "their" winning bid, not "there" winning bid:)

That's funny stuff right there. I 'laughed out loud.'

Today is our 18th wedding anniversary. Big plans! Not. We are going to the steak house. With a gift card. Then Hub's has to go to work this evening in the weight room. I'm just ignoring the whole stepping back into football issue. Better that way I think. And now back to anniversary.
I can't believe it's been 18 years. That's how long I lived full time in the family home. Now I've been independent just as long. First I packed up my belongings and moved to the dorm then to the little house on S. Second St, then Blanchester, and now here. Time flies. I can't even remember not be a couple. We dated for a little over a year before we engaged and then we got married a little less than a year later on our anniversary date day. We had Bubs less than 5 years later. It's really hard to believe it's been 18 years.

Sermon yesterday was exceptionally good. We started a new series, T90X. Our minister is doing P90 X and he thinks there are similarities in how we should devote 90 days to Know, Grow and Go. We have daily devotional passages etc. Interesting. I'm overbooking my dailies here lately.

Morning Writing Pages
Regular Bible Reading
Workout
Daily Reading books: let's just say there are like 7 dailies

Happy balance is what I need.

I tried on beach clothes yesterday to continue packing for Friday. I'm really ready for the beach this year. I didn't get to go spring break. Too short. But on the flip side I have this week at Garden City with the girls and then a week in July with 3 other ladies at Hilton Head. I've never been there so I'm excited about that too. Yolanda, Louisa and Margie will be on that trip. I like all these ladies. Even on the Garden City trip there are 15 of us and I'm friends with all of them. Well actually there is a new lady in our house this year taking my favorite lady's place. I'm very upset my bestest mentor will not be joining us this year. Her health has progressively gotten worse. But there is something more going on I don't understand. Then another housemate of ours passed away in December. We did not replace her. That will be difficult to take really. She was such a presence. We really got along and she was funny and talkative and I knew the beach was the one vacation she took for herself. She lived with her mother and was never married, didn't have a lot of girlfriend's so this was a big week for her. I can't believe she's gone really. She was younger than me. When I celebrated my 40th this year, I thought of her. I doubt I'll ever complain about getting older I count it as a privilege.

Almost three days? Really?

Morning 2 of Morning Pages... this is harder than I thought to immediately get up and type them out. A- people call before I can even get out of bed with a list of questions. B- it's raining and I need to cancel plans I've made outside. C-Tea or Coffee, the maid is out so I must make it myself. D- the pup's are adorable and giving me photo ops. 

Speaking of such, coffee with this french vanilla coffee mate is amazing. It can not be good for ya. Oh looky there it isn't. Poop.

I worked in the studio all day yesterday. Well I got distracted. Alot. Like I always do when I don't want to clean. But alas it is clean(ish). And today I need to finish up. Perfect day since it's rainy outside and the boys are coming home.

The boys have been gone for 7 days. I had big plans to deep clean my house. Instead I finally went to Ferrari's Little Italy, painted at art class, enjoyed the weather poolside, visited with my sister and her dogs, visited my parents, met a friend at Dilly Deli, watched Salmon Fishing in Yemen, spent mornings and evenings on the porch with the dogs reading and cruising pinterest and facebook, HOWEVER I have cleaned like a mad woman the last 2 days and there isn't a dirty article of clothing or a dish in my house. Until they walk in and dump a week's worth of fishy clothes on the floor.

Let's talk imprinting. That's the word Tim used when he talked about us getting Stella early enough. My expirence with the word imprinting comes from Twilight's Jacob so I thought it was odd to use that word. And yet... as soon as we got her she would stare into my eyes. She likes to come jump on me then just gaze into my eyes. Odd and yet I think that's exactly what she is doing. Imprinting. You are my mother. Hello.

Yesterday I listened to/watched the Pelican Brief. Forgot how absolutely wonderful it is. Then today The Fugitive. My how we forget all those famous people way back when. Cynthia Nixon, Susan Sarandon,  Jane Lynch, Stanley Tucci, wow.

I just realized I have not seen another human being in over 2 days. Tuesday I came home from dinner and a movie to an empty house. Wednesday I cleaned all day, Thursday I cleaned and then organized all day and now Friday I worked in my studio and am just waiting for the boys to return from their fishing trip. Humm. Didn't even realized it has been over 48 hours with just the dogs. Of course I talk to them and talk on the phone but no one has seen me.

Hoping to do more of this in the days to come...

 After watching Marina check out the catch...

 Stella does the same...

 I used the umbrella to shield my reading.

 Last lecture took us to Mr. Sushi for dinner and their wonderful Plum wine.

 Last Saturday Yolanda and I went to Ferrari's Little Italy for dinner with a Groupon.

 Then took an art class.

 On our walk some ducks were enjoying someone's pool.

 After graduation me and the girls headed to Yo's poolside.

 Her Hub's delivered Starbucks in the morning AND cooked us breakfast. 

 Marina waits for the OK to jump in.

 Refill please!

 Started this tome. How about that little heart leaf?

 Graduation went well. Of course we had our resident crazies and some harsh words from an uninformed person who made me so angry I almost quit. Then I remembered who I do this for and thought better of it. 

 Graduation is exhausting. 

 Met a friend at Dilly Deli and went to see Salmon Fishing in Yemen. Lovely film. I should go to see Mariemont films more often. 

 Stella's a fast learner. Sit on her feet she won't move.