An astute commentor pointed out that my Blogoversary meter ticked another year on the 5th. I've been itching to post for a few weeks, but have refrained. But, then I remembered that I had promised to not be talking about things that never change and continue to drag us down, but to share the lighter side of life...the things I will actually want to remember about this time, but likely won't because so many other things are being seared into my brain.
I have cleaned out some figurative closest over the past couple months and the reduction of stress is palpable. My kids notice. My friends have noticed. My husband has noticed. Funny how not defending yourself daily or feeling you need to justify what you know is right does for a person's demeanor.
I've also had the chance to do some memorable things since having my gall bladder removed--including, but not limited to, keeping off ten of the fifteen pounds I lost prior to the surgery.
Let's start with now and move backward, shall we.
This past weekend, one of my dearest friends in life married her sweetheart on one of the hottest days of the year.
You know I love you if I don a fully lined piece of formal wear and do NOT complain when I'm being carted around in a limo with zero air conditioning or posing for photos in an historic building where someone forgot to tell the computer to turn on the AC. (I apologize to the various ventilation systems I aimed the underside of my dress at this weekend...it couldn't be helped).
I made new friends in the bridesmaids as well and that's never a bad thing. The food was great, the music was fun too and it was held on a local Air Force Base on case lot sale weekend. You can't shake a stick at that!
Rolling back a few, we land on the weekend of August 20th on the calendar. I was in El Paso, Texas for a live event for the military spouse blog I love and write for when I have something positive to contribute. Aside from meeting new people, traveling to new places and feeling like I'm contributing to those gathered having a good time, I have a very selfish reason for attending these live events.
Many of them are pictured in the photograph with me.
You cannot ask for a group of more dryly witty, superiously intelligent, appropriately snarky, and uproariously funny individuals than the other contributors to the blog. When we have a chance to get together, even on these short weekend jaunts, it is worth every baggage fee and rifled through suitcase (oh, yes...it happens) for certain.
El Paso was great. We had amazing weather. Our accommodations were such that we could literally walk to the airport. The place also had a neat seating area outdoors that was covered enough so you didn't crisp in the sun, but open enough to feel the breeze and the warmth of the sun. So needed and definitely appreciated. We also were able to eat dinner at a local Italian restaurant where the owner was delightful--she'd come to America thirty years ago. She imports all her cheeses and the chocolate gelato was a religious experience.
August was a great month for traveling to Texas, it seems. Early in the month, I headed to the Dallas/Fort Worth area for my very first Scentsy convention.
This event was extra special because the person who sponsored me in Scentsy has been a friend since M2 was a baby, but we've never met in person. I befriended her on an online discussion board for spouses of Guard and Reserve members.
She has been one of only a handful of people unwavering in their support during this past year and a half ordeal known as daily life at my house. She's an amazing, driven individual who has helped me so much in this journey of starting my own business.
Scentsy is going very well. My sales each month are consistently good--I just wish I could say the same for recruiting. On the one hand, I'm bummed that I haven't been adding people to my team in the gangbuster fashion others have. On the other, I realize that I may need to move through some more matters in my personal/home life to have the space open to be a good mentor/team leader. I try not to let things at home shade what's going on outside it, but I know the vibe is likely there that my head, no matter where I am, is not 100% in the game at all times. It's inevitable & likely that it's perceived by astute people.
I try really hard to remain focused and I've been doing much better over the last month and a half or so, but it's still difficult to be all zen when you are trying to keep the people you are responsible for safe twenty-four seven.
The girls started school without a hitch and all reports are is they are enjoying it thus far. Piano lessons at our new piano school resume this evening--we enjoyed summer session. M2's World Drumming class was such a successful experience for her, she's going for a Creative Improv class (aka Kiddie Jam Session) this semester.
We just keep trudging forward and praying that by the holidays we will be back to our original family unit and we can be working on healing the family from the past year and a half of turmoil.
I'm happy to see you are still posting and surviving life. GOOD for you for cleaning out those figurative closets and just going forward with what you know is right.
I hope blogging the good things brightened your day or week. While my life is an absolute cakewalk by comparison; I was feeling down on sunday evening after a great saturday. I forced myself to write up the saturday fun and it chased away my blues.
Posted by: Teresa | 16 September 2011 at 08:49 PM