Washi What?

Washi tape...it's been my obsession this summer. I first saw it over at A Better Dream and got increasingly intrigued. When I finally got around to asking about it I was sent to Etsy. That in itself opened up a whole new world that I instantly got sucked into. Hours were spent oogling over all the fun patterns until I finally chose a package to "start" with. Just a few days later the mailman delivered it to my front door and I got to work.

I covered some clothespins with the tape for some cute "chip clips." Others got a magnet added to the back and they look great on the fridge holding some photos. I got some skinny dowels at the craft store and cut them down to the size I wanted to make the flags. A few have found their way to some cakes I've made recently, others I put in the dirt of some potted plants. There's so much more you can do with this stuff! I'm just a beginner, starting out, but having fun!

 

Shouldn't You Be Working?

I'm a teacher - so yes, I have the summers off. Over the course of the past few weeks I've noticed some things about the "real working world." Things I've probably been vaguely aware about, but never really paid any attention to. It got me wondering why these workers aren't criticized as much as teachers are.

* Men in 3 piece suits vacuum out their cars in the middle of the work day. I've seen this on more than one occasion. Shouldn't they be in an office somewhere, in a meeting or on a conference call?

* People "step out" alot. Do you know how many times I've called a doctor, etc. and have been told, "Oh they've stepped out for a bit." Stepped out where? In my job I can't step out anywhere without 26 pairs of feet following me.

* Workers for a certain telephone/cable company love to sit in their trucks under a shady tree and read the newspaper.....for hours! Must be nice. I never sit down at my job.

* Workers for competing telephone and cable companies love to park their trucks next to one another in parking lots and shoot the sh*t.....again, for hours! If I'm caught talking to a friend I'm asked what standard am I meeting.

* People take really long lunches! And they certainly don't seem to be in any hurry to get back to their jobs. I'm lucky if I get 15 minutes to eat my lunch AND use the bathroom.

Yes, I have the summers off. Deal with it. I have earned every second of this peace. My guess is that if any of the people who give flak about teachers and their summers off tried to work in the environment I do, they wouldn't last more than twenty minutes.

Taking the Day Off

Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future... A day in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. - Maya Angelou



I read this quote in a Real Simple magazine on Tuesday night and it just stuck with me. I decided then and there that I would be taking Wednesday off. A day off from the house phone, cell phone, texting, Facebook, tv, and just dealing with the overall "stuff" of everyday life. I dropped off the grid and went to the beach. (Big surprise!) But I went by myself for the first time this summer. It was a beautiful clear day, so I was able to sit and gaze at the bluffs of my favorite island. I walked the beach, one end to the other scooping up treasures from the ocean. Several naps were taken, because the beach is where I always get my best sleep. An entire book was read and almost half of another! I soaked up the sun and the quiet while snacking on some of my favorite eats. When I returned home I made myself a scrumptious dinner - bacon and eggs! Certainly not 5 star material, but I had been craving it all day. I spent the evening doing some crafting and then took my book to bed at an actual decent hour. I fell asleep with a clear head and a smile on my face. A day away from it all - rejuvenation at its best!

The Art of Saying No

Two measly letters, just one syllable. It's such a simple yet powerful word - but I find myself always having a hard time using it. I always have this incredible guilt trip because I never want to disappoint anyone.  So my first response is to say yes....to everything that comes my way. Then I find myself consumed with more than I can handle which just leads to dreaded anxiety. So the other day, I (gulp)  put my foot down and said no to something. You know what? It felt pretty darn good, almost freeing! It was like this huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders when I said it. I know it's going to continue to be a challenge for me to say it....but I feel like I've taken a step in the right direction!

They say.....

.....that it's never too late to start again!
One of the things on my "summer-to-do-list" was to write again. So here goes, let's see what happens.

I Love You One Million Pecks

I have this aunt that I just simply adore. Her name is Eloise, but she's got nicknames a mile long between being a mom, sister, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. I affectionately call her Jelloise - always have since I was a kid. She stands about a peep above 4 feet tall. She's 87, but often behaves like she is 27.....many of us tiring out before she does. She gives these incredible hugs that make you never want to let go.You can't help but smile whenever you think of her. She may be tiny, but boy she's got the heart of a giant. In recent years I've spent more time with her than ever -  because as you grow up you learn to appreciate these special people in your lives more. I love her spirit, our chats and the words she always whispers in your ear to you before you leave ~ "I love you one million pecks."

Go Shorty, It's Your Birthday!

I'm not a big fan of rap music, but 50 Cent's "In Da Club" is one I will admit to enjoying - only because it's fun to car dance to! I couldn't help but smile when it came on the radio today...my actual birthday. It made me think about someone I haven't thought about in a long time. Someone whose nickname for me so long ago was Shorty. We had one of those love/hate relationships for years, and I always thought he might in fact be my soulmate. For various reasons, life took us down different paths and I haven't seen him in years. Had I run into him today though, I would have gotten a resounding "Happy Birthday Shorty!" That's how it was with us ~ days, weeks and sometimes months would go by and we wouldn't see each other. But when we did, it was like we had seen each other just the day before. We were always so easily able to fall right back into our routine of bantering and just being us. It got me thinking about how those people you will always cherish, those that you have the greatest comfort level with and feel safe with , the ones you know will always have your back - are far and few between as you grow older. I'm not quite sure why that is, and this birthday girl didn't dwell too much on that aspect of it all. What I did do though is give thanks for my peeps that will always hold a special place in my heart, and yes....I car danced!