things have been a bit crazy around here, and i've had near complete posts swirling around in my head, but not the time to sit and unfold my abstract thoughts and transform them written words. it leaves me with a feeling like i've skipped out on appointments with my shrink though, as writing is my best therapy. forward i trudge.
here instead, is a list of the thoughts and happenings of my last couple weeks, just to give you something for your mind to chew on until i can compose more.
i finished my 30 day running challenge. 29 of those days, i hit the pavement with my feet, and one of those days i hit it with my hand because my feet just didn't have any punch left. but the experience left me more motivated to run because instead of a chore, it's now an enjoyable escape.
the late night runs in the rain were my favorite. as i watched the rain softly falling in the beam of light shining from the streetlights, it reminded me of watching a night snowfall when i lived up north. it was the best of both worlds, the sight of the peacefully falling precipitation with the warmth of the subtropical climate we now live in. bliss.
as a result of those 30 days, my personal running goals have been stretched. although you will never see me in an organized race, i have now surpassed my expectations of running a 5k, and am now pushing to reach a 10k. that's kind of a big deal to me. remember, i'm not a runner, nor do i like to sweat. but with the help of my new running shoes, complete with funky colored laces and a magic little gps chip, running is fun. i can track my circuit, see my pace, and get verbal congratulations everytime i meet a new goal. things like that were made for people like me....and i'm hooked.
i had a birthday. and it happened to be the same day my husband left town for a business trip for three days. before he left, he gave me a card and a pack of gummy bears. based on his excitement, i thought that was it. not that i need more, or would expect it, but like the scene from father of the bride where annie got upset when brian gave her a blender, those gummy bears tripped my switch. i held it in for a good two days, then it surfaced. i would have rather gotten nothing at all. i felt stupid for seeming like the wife who expected more, but leaving on my birthday and giving me of all things, gummy bears, stuck a bad note with me. i don't even like that it did. but it did. so, after thinking that my husband brushed off my birthday, and complaining a little bit more than i should about it, i REALLY felt stupid when come to find out, all along he had been planing a surprise party for me upon his return. foot in mouth. note to surprise party planners, though: when planning a surprise, do so before the birthday as to avoid the neglected feelings that uncontrollably stir when the birthday passes and the celebrant feels forgotten. and please don't give me gummy bears.
speaking of celebrating, boy have we been celebrating. fourth of july, 11 year wedding anniversary, and, did i mention fourth of july? in one (somewhat extended) weekend, we: enjoyed a two day getaway to a not so far island- filling our bucket with shells and our tummys with food, watching dolphins and taking long walks on the beach hand in hand with my three year old son; had lunch with friends that are more like family; hopped to another island where we once again buried our toes in the sand with friends, and then cozied up under a leaky thatched roof to weather out a rainstorm; stood as a sweaty spectator for the annual naples fourth of july parade- waving our red white and blue regardless; and topped it all off with a picnic on the beach with friends while waiting for the sun to set and the sky to be filled with the spectacular blasts that traditionally celebrate our country's birthday. it was a great weekend. the kids limits got stretched, our minds got unwound, and we even caught up on some sleep.
so, i guess i needed the therapy after all. my intentions for creating a list quickly became an improv of the fingers as they danced across the keyboard. this came out raw, un-edited, and unplanned. that's how i like to live life these days, so i'm going to leave it just as it is. any mistakes are finder's keepers.
i'll leave you with the euphoria of our recent weekend, and the excitement for what's brewing in the future. happy summer!
"To
live
is
so
startling
it
leaves
little time
for
anything
else."
-Emily Dickinson
