We survived!

The wedding is over and we all survived.  During the rehearsal, one child fell in the reflecting pool (which we knew was only going to be a matter of time and we were taking bets on who it was going to be) but other than that, we survived.  Luckily the day of the wedding was a little warmer than what they were originally forecasting (originally they were calling for 60 and overcast; it ended up being in the high 60s and sunny) but on the preemptive side, Mom bought the bride and us bridesmaids faux fur stoles that not only kept us warm but helped us look like movie stars.  The bride was beautiful and the ceremony was lovely; filled with some comic relief courtesy of two of my nephews - one just wanted to be allowed to run around and adventure and the other one didn't want to be involved in the wedding (even though he's my sister's son and she was the one getting married) and he's terrified of bubbles.  Oh, well.  Memories to tuck away to help remember the day.

Even though it has been a whirlwind trip, I have enjoyed spending time with family and welcoming my new brother-in-law into the family.  Today Mom and I took one of my nephews to the zoo and we had an absolute blast.  He had a great time and so did we - he even got to experience his first carousel ride (he got petrified right before it started but was all smiles as soon as it began).  Tomorrow is my last day here and I know I'll see some of my family members but some that I only saw on the wedding day will have to wait until my next visit (which will hopefully be in December).

I bought a new book in the airport before I left and one of the first phrases caught my attention and has stuck with me - "cherish yourself a little."  When I first read it, I scoffed a little bit then I went back, read it again, and realized the profoundness of that statement.  Or at least how it was profound to me.  I too often brush off any sort of compliment I'm given and I hardly ever compliment myself  so I definitely can't say that I've mastered the art of cherishing myself.  I know it's going to take some hard work and introspection but I want to change this. 

I want to start looking at myself and talking to/about myself as I talk with my friends.  I know that I need to be kinder to myself and take better care of myself.  One of the things I want to come with a plan for is how I approach work.  I am still working too many hours, am too stressed, I don't really eat at work and I don't take off the time that I should.  In terms of work, I think I do a pretty good job with coming up with game plans to accomplish tasks - I need to take this skill and apply it to my life in general.  When the work day is done, I need to leave.  If I work extra hours, I need to work a half day or take a day off.  I need to do more things for me - I haven't been to the aquarium or whale watching in forever and those things help to refresh me.

I see that I've used the word "I" quite a bit in that last paragraph and I think it's because I'm realizing it's time for me to be a little bit selfish.  I need to start putting myself and that may require some major sacrifices on my part.  I am becoming increasingly aware of this, especially as I get older.  I am supposed to be in the "prime of my life" but I don't necessarily feel that way.  I have some thoughts in my head of how to potentially change this but I want to see about putting some plans into motion before I write about them here.

Well, my dear readers, on that note, I'm going to sign off of here for this evening, read a little bit and head to bed.  Tomorrow is my last day here with the family, I travel all day on Tuesday and am back to work on Wednesday.  I am going to indulge in spending the last day here and take time to fully enjoy being back with family before going back to the "real world."  I hope you find opportunities for muchness in your own lives - I will be grabbing at my own opportunities with both hands!  =)