Skip to main content

Dear Blog

Dear Blog,

I am so sorry I have ignored you for the last few weeks. It's been a busy Christmas season. Even though I've technically been "on vacation" I've still had exams to score, gifts to buy, and more running around than I EVER like to do.

My niece, Mariah, has been here since last Saturday, and this is the first day I've actually had a moment to post anything. We're actually at the library now uploading pictures to Walgreens so we can print them out and put them in a scrapbook. That's our final activity, nicely wrapping up the week.

We went to the beach twice. (I'm in southwest Florida, people...it was 85 degrees!).

Clam Pass in Naples is one of my favorite beaches. We rented the Aqua Cycle and soon discovered that it looks a heck of a lot more fun when you watch someone else in it.

Lover's Key State Park is a delightful spot in Fort Myers. We did go swimming both days. Yes, we're both Florida natives. Yes, it was cold. Yes, it was a blast. Yes, I would do it again.

We also enjoyed some time at a local amusement center playing games and riding small carnival rides. Our favorite was a ride that brings you to the top of a tower and then drops you 8 times. We rode that thing at least 25 times and spent way too much money on skee ball and racing games.

I introduced Mariah to the fine artistry of The Princess Bride, Nacho Libre, and Dumb and Dumber. She also enjoyed playing with the dogs, sweeping my floor (in exchange for some denim bermuda shorts), crafting, making pizza from scratch, and eating out. I think I gained 10 pounds this week. I know I'm operating on a severe sleep deficit.

I'm also already very sad to think that she will be leaving tomorrow.

I promise I'll be back tomorrow night.

Comments

Christy said…
I'm glad to hear from you - I've started to wonder where you'd gone :) Sounds like so much fun! I can't wait to hear more!
10:18 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reflections on 2006

At some point near the end of December, I chronicle some of the major events of the passing year. I've been doing this since I was 13, and although it still seems a little hokey to me, I'll do this again for 2006. I started 2006 as a completely different person than the one sitting before my computer now typing these random thoughts. I speak my mind more (although still not enough). I've stood up for myself by saying no to people I love and refusing to eat potato chips just because they were "there". I actually purchased...and wore...and took a picture in a sleeveless shirt. I saw both the emergency room and Cancun during the middle of the night (and they both make fascinating stories). I started a whole new year of teaching and finally realized that it's not my calling. I learned that people are human just like me, and that it's okay to open up to them. In that vein, I've cultivated some amazing friendships with some truly wonderful women. I've se...
1 comment
Read more

Running

Sunday night, after the sun set, I found myself in my front yard with Winnipeg. Something snapped under my feet, and I started running as fast as I could...wearing flip flops. And it felt so good to feel my legs push my body forward as my feet touched and lifted off the ground. My lungs filled with air. Good air that they have been craving. I felt like I was flying. Dogs are the perfect companion for such random moments, and she jumped right into the game. She's a faster runner than I am, and she can be a bit frightening to watch barreling forward because you think she won't stop. But she usually does. I'm still smiling at the thought of me and my dog running like maniacs in the front yard. As fast as we could. And laughing loudly. And not caring who might have seen it. Feet touch ground. Lift off. Pushes me forward. Flying. Lungs fill with air. Exhale. Pushes me forward. Satiated. Legs jump in the night. Dodges. Pushes me forward. Delight. Here there is no finish line. We ...
1 comment
Read more

On Muchness

A dear friend confessed to me last night that he had lost his muchness and found it again. I confessed the same and even admitted the ridiculous series of events that recently sapped my own muchness. That little confession seemed to do wonders. It's so easy to fall out of step with myself. In fact, I do it quite naturally. Growing up in a Christian home, I took to heart the instructions to love my neighbor more than I love myself. Oh, wait! I just checked the scripture. "Love your neighbor as yourself." I may have been doing this the wrong way. I ended 2010 with the resolution that I would no longer make decisions out of fear. I am starting 2011 with the resolution to make decisions based on what I want. I've struggled with this because I've always believed that I should consider the needs and wants of others before my own. I'd like to think this is a valiant approach, but the truth is that it only leads to martyrdom...and I don't think I was given the opp...
2 comments
Read more