The Ups and Downs of this Birthday month

Life does have a way of changing things up right when you think you have it down pat, doesn't it.  We all know that is what happens, intellectually.  Emotionally, though, you wonder- a. what the hell was that all about? and b. Certainly this is done now and I can have a little peace.  Well, that may or may not happen depending on a whole host of circumstances, but I am willing to not bring new variables into life and cause an uproar-------  I hope.

I have hinted at the fact that I have had something going on in my house and it includes some kitchen work.  It is about freaking time, as the same vinyl floors I have had for 25 or so years was starting to look worn, not to mention the other little things that drive one crazy.  So suffice it to say, I am putting things back in their spot, and I am having one of those purge moments.  I am going through my cabinetry and literally considering every single thing and either keeping it or boxing it up.  There is no letting it slide this time, as I have done in the past.  Sometimes you have to just drop the emotional attachment and the stories you think of and how you know who gave that to you for a wedding present, though you haven't touched it hardly since you got married and you are pretty sure none of the children want it.....  This is going to lead to a major household purge. The MA is a little worried - lol.

Speaking of whom, a couple days ago, when I was deep in a battle with a few lines of grout on the new flooring- he came in to the house early, as it was raining, and we were looking at some pretty magnificent cloud formations.  We decided to go for a ride- with my camera in hand.   I shot in a few places and ended up on Butternut Lake, where there was a great view to the east of the colored clouds from the sun over the lake-- and since we were right by the Butternut Resort, we went in for a few minutes for a drink.  He said to me: after all, it is birthday month.  awwww.  I have not had a lot of time to celebrate birthday month.  I have had a bit of emotional turmoil going on, some of it completely unexpected, and my joy has not been too prevalent these days.  So a nice amber Fat Tire did sort of help, as well as talking with Dick and being some place different and doing a photo shoot didn't hurt one bit.

I'm in a place of having so many things to do and not a lot of time to do them.  The mosquitos this summer are a problem, so you have to be fully dressed and armed with lots of spray to brave the day. A good stiff breeze does help a lot.  So not a lot of weeding is going on, and wow do I need to do that.  And of course the windows have not been washed yet (NOT my fave thing to do) and I haven't posted one single thing about my trip to Oregon.....  and on and on.  Oh well.

I am going to take a few days this coming week to just do things around the house with no big agenda.  And cook a few things as I want to.  And probably take a little day trip or two because that needs to happen.  And being to enjoy my birthday month a bit more.

Every year is different, and life isn't guaranteed to be happy during these particular birthday month days, but we sure can look for the joys that are always there.  Even if other things have popped up and thrown a shadow over them.  So I'll be looking for that silver lining, that alternate point of view- sometimes looking to the east during a sunset is the very best view of all.

Losing track of time

Indeed I have lost track of how much time has passed since my last post.  I actually have probably 2 more Italy posts in me, but I will get back to that in the next few days.

Missouri Botanical Gardens- Chihuli installation

I have been losing track of time a lot lately.  I am in my late summer transition.  I find myself resenting leaving my house, trying to make space for school stuff in my head, beginning to think again like a teacher.  I get distracted by my garden, my pictures, my thoughts.....  I want to talk to people about anything but work and yet find myself thinking about it all the time.  The kids are telling me how much they miss my art room and I went there today to start to unpack boxes of supplies.  I am unwillingly shifting, slowly,  but it is happening.

Miss Ava Kay

Jon and Ella

After July happened, I went on a little road trip again.  I began my journey visiting the Mad-oldest son and Sarah Grace and the girls in Janesville, and no one was sad that they had literally left my house the day before I arrived.  :)  They came to Park Falls for my birthday weekend, which was fabulous, and then I headed there and had a layover until I traveled to visit my sweet friend from Missouri.

Rotary Gardens in Janesville.

Do you see me?

I didn't get a lot of pix of the two of us in Missouri, we were too busy doing things, I guess.  And a lot of things we did!  I won't go through the entire trip, but we covered a lot of ground and did some super things.

Pickle Springs in Missouri

The Depot in Bonne Terre

Chihuli gate at the Botanical Gardens

One of the covered bridges in Missouri.  We got there when it was really too dark for good photos, but it was fun to see. 

I am all about getting into art museums whenever possible so the St. Louis Art museum was a must.  It is a super museum, so going just doesn't get old.  We also got to the botanical gardens, the zoo, went for a good long bike ride on the Katy trail, hiked Pickle Springs and ate Italian food and Sushi in St. Louis.....  not all on the same day, mind you!

EGRET!! 

At the St. Louis Zoo

Botanical Gardens

We ate dessert for supper, stayed up late and got up early.  When you only see your bestie once a year, you just can't waste your time sleeping.

A mini waterfall! 

On the pontoon on Lake Mendota

Another little layover in Janesville was in order after I left Missouri- 11 hours is a long way, and really, who wouldn't stop and see those two cute girlies, and of course their parents.

Ava doesn't appreciate the boat ride yet

Pickle Springs

Botanical Gardens

 It really was a nice way to finish up the summer....  The trip was a perfect length and I saw some pretty amazing people.  :D

The capital and the university from Lake Mendota

 And I already have tentative plans for another adventure next summer, because I was sad it was all over....  so I contacted my partner in all things adventure and we have begun to concoct our next big thing....  It involves airplanes, mountains, waterfalls and perhaps an ocean!  YAY!  Stay tuned.

Sunset skiing in Madison

Sunflowers

So I will proceed with the next 10 day or so and try so hard not to whine.  I will allow my mind to change to what it does 9 months of the year, but you know I will be dreaming of what that other 3 months will hold.  And no one is saying other adventures won't happen in the meantime!  

Beauty over Butternut Lake

The weather has broken, the humidity and heat is mostly gone.  The summer days are getting shorter and thankfully the sunsets are quite beautiful!  The year moves on and a hoodie is added to my evening walks around the yard.  Time moves along whether we want it to or not.

And I will be finding my joy even if I am dragging my feet and wanting to stay in the amazing season that is summer.

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Sunny Saturday

It was a gorgeous day yesterday!  The SUN was out! It was spectacular and I am sort of disappointed to say, such is not the case today.  I see little snowflakes floating down out there, so once again- grey is the color of the day.  Oh well.

I have a lot of stuff I want to do today: first and foremost removing signs of Christmas from the house.  For now.  I would have had it done by now, but a certain sicko has been firmly entrenched in my livingroom for the last 3 days.

Now I am sure that it was no fun for him, either, but I couldn't walk through the room without that pathetic voice wanting something.  Oh brother.  So, regardless, I am cleaning up today.  I am hoping he and the Barber can go hang out in the cabin this afternoon!

 I also plan to spend 20 minutes relearning lesson 1 of Italiano and going for a walk!  Sun or no sun, I need to get back at it.  I'll just go on the road today, get some miles.  I probably should wear my Yaktrax, but we shall see.  I know it is going to take a while to do the Christmas stuff so I need to prioritize.  1a. Take down Christmas  1b. Go for a walk 2. Italiano 3. eat lunch..... good plan so far.

I have to go back to school tomorrow, and that is good and not....   I do have to sit down and look at my google docs for work and see what the heck I am doing with everyone this week.  Believe it or not, there is only 3 weeks left to the semester.  YIKES!!  This affects my elementary not one bit, but wow does it affect my HS plans.  It seems like ages since I have been at school....

This virus has been obnoxious- I feel like I lost 2 weeks of my life.  And the coughing lingers and it is such a pain.  I hope none of  you get this.  I am not sure what the heck it was, not a cold really.  Oh well, at least I did not pass it on to any of the grandchildren.  Speaking of which - only a little over a week to Grandkiddo #4!!  Woo HOO.  I can't wait to get down there and hang out with them a few days later this month.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the sun photos.  I am enjoying putting them on here, as it is the only way I will see any blue sky until later in the week.  Oh well.

I hope you all enjoy your Sunday and find a little joy!

A REALLY good day

Today is that "fall back" day of Daylight Savings Time.  With all the whining about the time change in the spring, few people complain about today.  Apparently they are grateful to have an "extra" hour in the day and have nothing to say about it!  HA!

Similar to the analogy that in order to have amazing sunsets, you have to have clouds (I guess the traditional statement is rain and rainbows, but I like sunsets much better than rainbows), in order to have this fantastic, leisurely day of extra time, you have to lose that hour in the spring.  So quit whining and enjoy a little delayed gratification!

I LOVE this day!  LOVE IT.  And that is what I told the MA right now when I went to see if he was alive yet- he works hard on these weekends, so he's a little sleepy.  I said the clock says 7:35 but it is really 6:35.....  and I LOVE this day.  Lol  In that moment he told me he was tired I think that meant- get out!

I look a the time and I know that it will be a day where it seems like you should be doing something particular SOON but you don't have to yet.  Where  you feel like you can leisurely have more coffee, even if the horsie outside is staring at the house waiting for his breakfast.  Where the possibilities seem endless and time is going slow.  I savor the feelings because I know I won't have another day like this for a whole year.

And even better, it looks like the day is going to be dry and at least partly sunny.  And not as cold as it was yesterday.   I guess the only sort of drawback is the fact that it will be dark super early now but on the other hand, it is nice to have a little light in the morning.  My Lolaaday pictures will be way better for a while!  I enjoy being optimistic, it really makes the little things in life fun.

And it is awesome to be able to find the little joys in life!

A couple quirky and or purty pix

I wanted to get more than one blog post done today, yet that didn't happen, so I am getting one more in.  I have a bunch of photos that haven't been dealt with at all, and I like to put them online sometimes.  I have been doing a lot of photography- including a trip to Wausau to Rib Mountain- and that deserves its own page.

I have been having massages every other Saturday or so, to deal with some nerve and muscle issues I have, and I write blog posts in my mind when I am laying there.  It is kind of fun!  But those are all bottled up as I am a bit tired and can only manage some pictures.  But I like them and I can't wait to share.  So enjoy!  :)  This is my way of being a joy giver today!  What did you do to spread a little joy?