Tree in Bloom...

One of my most very favorite things is my "wedding" tree, mind you, I have yet to have one of those. Which is fine by me...all in due time is my motto. And if not, no big deal either. ;) Since I was a little girl, this tree has been my everything. It is how I watch the seasons change from year to year. It is where I look for answers to lifes quandaries. It is usually my main object of focus after a good workout too...especially after a walk/run outside. Whether it is covered with snow in winter, bright orange in the fall, fully bloomed in spring, or green with summer fun, it stands tall and grounds me.

Looking at it is a way to have some quiet and time to think. I have grown older reflecting upon the past sitting beneath it and looking up through the leaves. I think it is the only thing about that connects to being a little girl with big dreams. I remember worrying about finding a career, going to college, and whether or not a long list of boys spanning many years were the "one". As I get older, I laugh thinking back on the things that used to worry me. The good thing is that in these quiet moments in my backyard, as I gaze upon my tree, I realize that everything and nothing at all has changed. I'm still the same person...looking to my tree...to offer wisdom and guidance. The only difference now is that I know and trust that everything will turn out as it should be.

On Vacation, Will Cheat..

I cheated on Vera while on vacation. I got this super cute handbag from one of my favorite shops...and it was 50% off. I mean really, could I pass that up? I think not. It was just what I needed to have a fun new thing to sport as I headed back to the office today. I have to admit, it is pretty cool returning to work on a Thursday. You have two days on and then two days off. I can handle that!!

I so needed to take some time off. I was back in action today and got so much done. It was crazy. I did a really good job prioritizing so that I just ticked things off my list one at a time. Probably because I did not have any meetings...

As the Sun Comes Up...

I am up way to early, but how can you possibly sleep when this is what greets you when you open your eyes? I am so calm. I am so relaxed. I can't even remember what I was so worried up about at work the day before last. I can't believe I almost bailed on getting away for a few days. I am so keyed up about how pretty everything is...so much so that I don't even need coffee to get perked up. I am sitting at a cute little table with a lovely view. This is my idea of a vacation - a table, a chair, a charged laptop (or journal), and new surroundings to soak in. Perfection.

Press the Hold Button...

Hello...I've waited here for you...everlong. When I get frustrated on having to wait for things...I should think about that Foo Fighters song. I love that song. It is one of my personal anthems. Problem is...I'm a 'go-to' kind of gal. I like to get things done. I like to check things off of my list. I am always 'on-it'. Although, sometimes, you have to wait on others. I have such a hard time with this. I know that patience is a virtue...that must be why it is so hard. One of my tag lines is to trust the process...but it doesn't stop me from getting all worked up.

The one thing I have to FORCE myself to remember is that no matter how much you stress or worry...things are going to happen when they are supposed to happen. I know this. Yet I still exhaust myself in trying to mitigate disaster. Darn intuition...

Skunky Skunk...

Ever since I started working just about 15 years ago, I have had this silly fear. Since I am an early bird, the thought has occurred to me over the years that being out and about before the sun is up poses some risk. My biggest fear? Being sprayed in skunky yuck juice early in the morning. I know that is crazy...but after my skunk sighting early yesterday AM out of the kitchen window it seemed all too clear that my fear could be realized.

It will be a busy day with lots of meetings. I'll be leaving early. I'll have on a great outfit. A cute Vera Bradley purse. And then it will happen...I will get skunked. Right there before reaching my car I will stop dead in my tracks. Then what will I do? I can see myself become oddly calm and wonder where I could go to take a tomato bath. If only there were a spa I could escape too.

Could you imagine the email I would have to send to my boss and fellow co-workers? I would never be able to escape that one...hey...remember when Joy got skunked? That was classic....

Can't Hardly Wait...

The only thing bringing me calm at the moment...

Picture Credit

A List to Start the Week By...

It is hard to make the weekend seem like a time for rest when you are doing a lot of work too. It was a productive weekend and do feel like I had some time to just relax and bum around a bit. Shopping. Movie Watching. Sleeping In. Somehow I also had the time to work about a half day on Saturday and then again today. I got all my laundry done. I vacuumed. I organized my home desk a bit. All in all...I'm feeling pretty good for the week ahead. The only thing I didn't do was fill up my car. Hmm...I guess I will have to do that first thing tomorrow. ;)

As I embark upon what I assume will be a crazy week, I'm starting it off with a list of things to ecstatic about. There are quite a few...

* Getting an email that says that all the work you do helps cancer patients everywhere.
* Stressing over a decision and then in a moment of clarity knowing exactly what you need to do.
* Thinking about watching boats on the water and counting down the days until you can
* Coming home from work after a really hard day to find your family ready to go to Ledo's so that you can have the salad that you have been lusting after all day. Articoke Chicken Salad Baby...and I didn't cheat and eat any pizza!!
* Not breaking the promise you made yourself about needing to lose ten more pounds before allowing yourself to buy another Vera Bradley Purse.
* Thinking of new ways to keep yourself organized - at home and at work.
* Smelling frest cut green grass...especially when someone else cuts it.
* Meeting friends for only a minute...but feeling like you still had time to connect.
* Watching SATC - The Movie for the fifth time.
* Realizing that despite how busy you are, you still do make time for the things that are really important.

Not too shabby a list I should think...

Live from the Office....

On a Saturday...and here I am. Getting lots done. I love quiet. It is easy to get things done when there is a limited number of things flowing in via interruptions and emails. In all honesty, this is only the third time I have come in to the office on a Saturday in my three years of being in this job. And one of those times was to pack up stuff because I was switching offices. Not too bad...I'm feeling much better than I was last night.

And in just over an hour...I will be Vera Shopping with my Vera Girls. Wahoo!!!