Apologies...

My dearest readers; let me begin by apologizing for not having a post written last week.  Not that it's an excuse but I am still on vacation and I honestly lost track of what day it was (even though my parents and I went to church last Sunday AM, by the time evening rolled around I forgot to write) and it didn't even hit me until Mom told me on Monday morning that she logged on and there was nothing new for her to read....  That being said, this post is going to be on the short side since I have to be up pretty early in the AM to catch a flight.  I procrastinated in packing today so I honestly just finished and I hear my parent's coo-coo clock chiming midnight (so technically this post is being hastily written very early Monday AM).

I really did have a lovely vacation (except for when the plague struck but more on that in a moment).  Of course, I wish that I would have had the opportunity to spend more time with some of my family members or gotten in touch with old friends, alas, life's hustle and bustle kept that from happening.  I know that I could've made more of an effort but I enjoyed the times I had and I have the opportunity to hang onto those memories as I head back to my apartment and I truly hope that I am not taking the plague back too...  As you may or may not remember, right before I headed here I went to the doctor and was placed on antibiotics.  Now as I'm leaving, the stomach bug (a.k.a. "the plague") has struck several family members and I pray it doesn't hit me at 30,000 feet...

Maybe in an effort to help keep that at bay, I should stop typing for tonight since I have my travel day tomorrow wich will start very early (and I already don't handle "goodbyes" well...). If I get the opportunity, I may write more tomorrow or later in the week since I still have another week until I go back to work.  May you have a wonderful week my dear readers!

Crazy auntie

Well, I finally am starting to feel close to human again after a full night of sleep; I worked for about six hours on Friday, went back to my apartment and then headed to the airport for my 15 hours of travel.  I don't know what happened but I made it through all of the legs of my trip without any issues (which is pretty much a first for me...) so I'm not entirely sure what perils await me on my return trip...  The only thing that happened was the first plane was a little late (because it was late to the airport before mine) and we missed our "magic window" for takeoff and we had to wait just under a half hour on the tarmac (no biggie for me since I was in an exit row and didn't have a seat mate).  I only got about 2 hours of sleep between the different planes so I was definitely ready for a night of sleep.

After the long overdue night of sleep, we went to church this AM and the sermon presented an interesting perspective on the "crazy uncle/aunt" that we all have in our families (and if you can't think of who that is, you might be that person).  One of the things the pastor was pointing out is being that "crazy relative" doesn't have to be a bad thing - we actually want people who don't just see things as black and white but see the possibilities that are available.  My dad commented to the pastor at the end of the service that not only are he and my mom a crazy uncle/aunt but they raised them as well.  I have to say that I'll happily admit to being one of those crazy aunts.  (You may be wondering where the connection to this and a sermon; he connected the "crazy uncle/aunt" to how John the Baptist may have been viewed.)

I encourage my three nephews (and all of the children I work with) that looking at the world in different ways is not necessarily a bad thing!  There are times that I think it would be better if more people were just a little bit crazy and learned to look at the world in new/different ways.  I'm not saying there aren't times where things do need to be black or white but there are times where adding a new perspective to life.  Adding a new perspective to life wouldn't be a bad thing.

Well, my dear readers, tomorrow is going to start very early and this crazy auntie has the opportunity to see at least two of my three nephews if not all three...  Take the opportunity to be crazy...  =)

Finally sitting....

I am finally sitting down after a very long and busy day (the only other real time I sat today was while I was on the phone with my parents this afternoon and church this morning); I had to substitute teach dance class in a neighboring town first thing this morning, rush to church where we had a handbell "concert" (three pieces), ran to the store after church, and then came back to my apartment where I began to work.  I've done quite a bit of cleaning today (even did a sink full of dishes - ugh...).  I still have more to clean but I just can't do anymore tonight.

I think my dogs are starting to realize that something is about to happen because they have been glued to me most of the day.  They are currently curled up on the couch next to me (one on each side which they don't tend to do) and even though they're sleeping, if I move, they wake up to see what I'm doing.  They are correct in thinking that something big is about to happen because this week I will be starting my vacation - my annual holiday trek to see family.  I don't have the best of travel records (if you've been reading my posts for any amount of time, you know this to be true) but we'll see if I will be in the favor of the travel gods or not...

No matter if I get everything done at my apartment and at work or not, I am so ready for this vacation.  I know that work will be left in capable hands and I just need to let go.  I have been so wrapped up in the day to day of things that I haven't taken too many opportunities to just relax.  I have taken some time here and there to do things for me but they've been too few and far between in my opinion; and I don't usually say that, I usually am focusing on the "more" I could've done.  I'm realizing that because I've been "all go, no relax or me time" that I am burning out.  That takes a lot for me to admit; as a perfectionist - I want to keep working/trying until the job is not only done but done to my level of standards and I just can't keep this pace up anymore.  If nothing else, I'm hoping that this vacation shows people at work that they CAN function without me and I'll be able to feel confident in delegating some of the tasks that I feel as if only I can accomplish.  I know that I need to stop thinking that the only way things will get done is if I take care of them myself.  Easier said than done but I'm going to work on it...

Well, my dear readers, I know that this is a relatively short post for this week but I just realized what time it is (sat down awfully late to start writing) and I should probably think about heading to bed before too much longer.  I have quite a bit to cross off my list in the next few days so I should probably try and get a good night's sleep.  In the hustle and bustle to get things crossed off your own lists, please don't forget to embrace the opportunities to let your freak flags fly and for your muchness to shine!  =)