Write in the Middle of It All

My soon to be 24 year old daughter came into my bedroom a few minutes ago. I thought she had gone to bed over an hour ago. She is a first year teacher and living with us while she pays off student loans. As an early riser, she often goes to bed around 9:00. I could tell from the way she was smiling that something was on her mind. She started to walk away, and then abruptly turned back to me. When I asked her what was wrong, she tried to say nothing. Then her eyes welled up. I scooted over in bed, flung the covers over, and talked her into getting in. She made a half-hearted attempt at saying nothing was wrong, but finally got to the point. A few minutes earlier she asked her dad a question, and he didn't give her the response she was looking for. She wanted to know if he ever felt like he had achieved the goal he set for himself, and now had nothing to look forward to. I love my husband, but deep conversations about your feelings are not in his wheelhouse. She and I had a nic

I love the water. By water, I mean the ocean. I was born in Corpus Christi, and I think the call of the sea is in my blood. Every so often, I feel pulled to make a trip to the coast. So on our honeymoon, we went to San Francisco. It was amazing!  I can still see the beautiful, blue water in my mind. We didn't stay in a hotel on the water, but we managed to spend most of our time at the waterfront. After our honeymoon, we decided to forego anniversary gifts to each other in order to save up and go on trips every five years. Our fifth anniversary, I was pregnant with our third child, so we didn't travel far - Fort Worth! But all of the other trips - our 10th, 15th, 20th, and 25th - have been to cities on the water.  We went back to San Francisco for our tenth anniversary. We loved it so much on our honeymoon, and there were many places we wanted to see that we didn't get to the first time around. After all, it was our honeymoon! Our other trips have been to Niagara Fa

Today felt like a Saturday. My husband Kenneth took the day off, and we spent the majority of it doing the little errands and tasks we usually do on Saturdays. We accomplished a lot and got a jump on our real Saturday. We spent the morning removing the leaves from the front yard. We have two live oak trees in our yard, so we get to bag leaves from our neighbor's trees in the fall and our trees in the spring. We're just lucky like that! This afternoon I met a girlfriend for a much needed pedicure. I had to hold in my sighs and moans through the hot rock massage. I didn't think anything could ever feel better than that, until she began to massage my feet. Sometimes if feels like the pedicurist is trying to rub a hole in my foot, but today's massage was Goldilocks-like - not too hard, not too soft. I was in the chair for over an hour and left feeling so relaxed. Now I'm watching one of my favorite old shows - Divine Design. I love seeing what Candice Olson will d

Today's the first day that I have sat down to write without an idea already brewing. So here are some random thoughts... Seems to me if we want students to believe that we consider them the future of our country, then maybe we should listen to what would make them feel safe at school.  I get the whole right to bear arms - just not sure I can connect that to the right to bear automatic weapons.  I love to watch mindless television shows like Survivor. I know they have no redeeming value, but I like them because I don't have to think. My favorite hobby is reading. When I'm really into a book, I'm torn between wanting to see how it turns out and not wanting the book to end. As soon as I finish a book, I usually buy a new one. I am enjoying writing in this blog more than I ever thought I would.  Without definite aim, reason, or pattern...today's word is random.

Today is smack in the middle of my spring break. Four days behind me, and four days ahead.  I gave in to the pushy voice that's been telling me I have too much work to do to really enjoy the week and went into the office for a few hours today. I was able to strike a few things off the To Do list, and let's be honest, who doesn't love that?  I'm a little irritated at myself, though, for listening to that pushy voice. I work too hard already, and if Pushy Voice had her way, that's all I would ever do. I have turned her off for the evening and am enjoying a documentary about Princess Diana.  Tomorrow I will spend part of the day with some girlfriends being pampered with pedicures. Nothing rejuvenates like a massage with hot rocks. Oh, I can feel it already! I still have some work I'd like to finish before I head back to school next week. But I'm not going to let it take over my break.  Stability, equilibrium, footing...today's word is balance.

I started today in the middle of last night - I picked my daughter and her college friend up from the airport at midnight. It was nearly 1:00 this morning before we pulled into the driveway. As tired as I was driving to the airport, I loved the shift in my schedule. During the work week, I am an early riser. Not because I love to get up early - it's more about the quiet hour or two of work with no one around to interrupt.  But my true nature is a night owl. I love staying up late working on projects, reading, or watching old movies. I feel like I get the best sleep from 2:00 am to 9:00 am. I tend to wake up naturally and feel so rested. Every time we have a week or more off from school I fall back into this pattern - it's who I am. What a blessing it is to have these days to rest and just be me.  Tranquil, soothing, peaceful...today's word is restful.