Snagged this sweet shot of Christina swimming in the ocean with some dolphins playing behind her. The birds flew into the shot just to show off. We had a good time at the beach. Weather was great, water was refreshing. Need to do more of this.
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August 2
Today we spent the afternoon helping inspect and sort food donations with Feeding Northeast Florida. After all of the amazing things we have been privileged to do lately, it felt like something we had to pay forward. It was a fulfilling experience, and I can’t wait to sign up again.
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August 1
Today’s lesson at work was: Don’t try to do it all. I guess I needed to hear that. For the first time in a month, I feel a little hopeful. Also: This rose is blooming, and I thought it had died. So I guess my rose is on the same page as me.
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July 31
I met up with my chorus carpool for the first time in what must be at least a year. We had dinner out and it was nice. So much to catch up on! It was great to see them, but work has been so stressful that it was hard for me to relax and enjoy myself. Last night I had a dream that the Amex CEO called me into his office for a performance evaluation and he spent the whole time trying to assure me that I’m doing a good job. That is so sad. But at least he’s on my side.
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July 30
I remember once when I was about 8 or 9, my mom and I sat on the front porch of our house watching a thunderstorm. We watched it roll in, pour, and then roll away, leaving that eerie green haze that thunderstorms often leave behind. It was both exhilarating and soothing and it completely changed my perspective on thunderstorms. From that moment on, I loved them. It stormed tonight, and instead of continuing with my day, I turned off the TV and sat and watched it like I did all those years ago with my mom. It was a good one with sheets and sheets of rain, lots of lightning and loud, booming thunder, wind tossing the leaves on the trees. I enjoyed it, and I enjoyed the memory. It brought on waves of gratitude, that I have this wonderful house to provide protection, that I have a garden to enjoy the rain, that I have a family to share it with, that I have a job to make it all possible… As hard as life is, it has its beauty. For this I am also grateful.
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July 29
My days seem to separate into three basic parts: mornings, when I go to the gym (chest workout today), days, when I go to work (still scrambling to get caught up while people pile more work on my plate), and evenings, which is my free time. Tonight I made spaghetti and meatballs, and watched a storm come and go with only a teaspoon of rain, and watched the Yankees game (currently losing, surprise, surprise). I am in need of a new low-key project. So far I haven’t been able to come up with anything. I guess it’ll come to me eventually.
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July 28
I finished reading The Neverending Story tonight. The first half is exactly like the movie. The second half isn’t part of the movie at all, which was pretty much the whole entire point of the book. Hollywood! I enjoyed it. It’s been very hot lately and my garden is withering in the heat. Took some time to water it this afternoon. I hope it helps. I also made sure to turn off the water… lesson learned after forgetting a couple weeks ago, flooding the entire yard, and receiving a water bill for $500. Jesus.
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July 27
It was a pretty good day. I braved my fears and met up with a group of women for a short paddle to a sandbar and back. The current was SO strong. I had to work hard to get there. But the water was gorgeous and the ladies were nice. Came home and went out for burgers with Robin and Billy while Christina was at dance. We played card games and I had some craft beers and it was also nice. And then we tried a new place for dinner, a pizza joint in Riverside called Carmine’s Pie House. It was delicious! Billy and the kids hit the nail on the head with gifts. The only thing I missed was my ritual Grey Goose martini in honor of my mom. I never made it to a place that had a full bar. This will be my first year without that tradition since before she died. I guess I’ll just have to toast to her in my heart this year.
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July 26
The wild manic streak I’ve been on for the past nine months seems to be coming to an end. I’ve finished all my projects and have been completely uninspired to start anything new. Most of the time I lie around, unable to think of anything worthwhile to do. I did manage to have lunch with a friend, which was nice. The girls and I went for a short walk after dinner and that was nice, too. I guess it’s better than nothing.
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July 25
Robin did NOT leave her cooking class with a smile tonight. She didn’t want to taste her cake, she didn’t want to look at her cake, she didn’t want to touch her cake, she never wanted to make another cake ever again. Apparently she didn’t have enough of the color she wanted, and the piping didn’t work out, and to her it was so horrible that it ruined her whole week. But as it turns out, cake is irresistible. And even if it looked like shit, it tasted pretty good. See, now she knows how cake works.
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July 24
Robin left her cooking class smiling, which is a big improvement over the rest of the week. I guess making a cake is better than Chinese food, bread, and pasta. Managed to get a few things done at work in between a million meetings. My days are so exhausting right now. Trying to go into it just doing my best. Even when it doesn’t feel like enough, my best is pretty good.
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July 23
Christina and I broke in the new paddleboards this morning, and I’m so glad I made that impulsive purchase a week or so ago. I had so much fun hanging out with her, and I’m finally starting to feel a little more confident with the boards. I can’t wait to go out again.
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July 21
Robin had her first cooking class today, making fresh stuffed pastas from scratch. I’m currently watching her cook and hoping she’s having fun. And also that I get to eat what she made, because I’m hungry.
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July 20
My first quilting. I’m not sure it’s finished, but I had fun making it. Robin and I went to Michael’s to get some crafting supplies and then went to Chili’s for lunch. It was nice getting to spend some time with her. I feel bad that she’s spent her whole summer sitting around in her room. I wish I could spend more time with her.
Year in Photos 