Red wine, Football, and a Basket

Saturdays are delightful. After a long week filled with tying shoes, wiping noses, and correcting papers, there is not much that can top a Saturday....except...a Saturday followed by one two days off! There is something about a long weekend (followed by a short week) that just gives teachers an extra skip in their walk on Friday. Now Saturday can be used for typical Saturday things...cleaning, grocery shopping, running errands, etc...and Sunday can actually be used for relaxing! Monday is left for prepping for the week, making lunches, and ironing clothes. The four day week that follows always flies by, and soon enough, it is Saturday again! This long weekend brings a decent to-list for me, but also a great amount o time left to RELAX.

I got to spend Friday night with two very dear friends and colleagues, a 2 year old, and 2 playful labs. Oh, and three bottles of wine. It was so nice to kick off a long weekend with a low key girls night. I always leave nights like that feelings so blessed to have such wonderful women in my life. They remind me that my crazy thoughts are normal and my mood swings are ok...and that chocolate cupcakes should be enjoyed VERY often. Between the three of us, we might send any psychologist into a panic, but together we are able to empathize in our feelings and share hugs that cure anything. Sawyer also had quite a night with his best friend Gus. He slept like a baby last night! 

I had breakfast with my grandmother, grandfather, and sister this morning. Another huge blessing in my life...family. My grandmother made delicious doughnut puffs bringing me back to Saturday mornings when I was young. I never thought twice about what I ate for breakfast--no counting calories, checking sugar contest, etc. It was refreshing. I truly enjoyed that doughnut puff...and the conversation that went along with it. After a great start to my favorite day of the week I attempted Walmart. I say attempted because it was the most overwhelming experience of my life. The place was packed--more busy that I have ever seen it--even at Christmas time! I made it to the cereal aisle when I called it quits and headed to Shaws. Although I do half of my shopping at Walmart and the other half at Shaws (produce, meats...etc), Shaws won out today. Today, I was willing to pay a bit extra to avoid being smashed by carriages and cut off by ferocious shoppers! I miss our garden and fresh veggies. I stocked up on greens, fruits, veggies, and healthy snacks, but it's not the same as walking outside, picking a fresh cucumber and slicing it for dinner. I am however excited for two new recipes I have on the menu for this week. Kale and White Beat soup tomorrow night with a multigrain crusty bread and Mexican Spinach Salad on Wednesday night for another girls night with my brother's girl friend. I am trying as hard as I can to incorporate more greens and veggies into our meals. We don't get enough!

While unloading groceries I made a pasta bake and oatmeal peanut butter chocolate chip cookies for a member of our church unable to get around. The baking along with my new cinnamon roll candle had the house smelling great! After the baking was done and the dishes dried, I was at a loss of things to do. I was so excited to relax, but there are times when I think I do not know how. After pacing the house, puttering and bit, and starting to get frustrated, I sat down. I tried to watch TV. There was nothing on. I paced and puttered a little more. I checked my e-mail. Then I started to get upset. My period is right around the corner so my temper is running a little short (not making excuses but just sayin' :)). My husband was lying on the couch watching football. Why can't I do that, I thought. Long story short, I got mad. And cried. I didn't want to go out to dinner quite honestly because I didn't want to get out of my pjs....but I didn't want to cook, but I didn't want to order out. I just wanted someone to make a decision for me. So I cried. And had a little fit. In my defense I really could not control it. I don't want to be like that, it just happens. Fast forward 20 minutes we decided to order Chinese food and open a bottle of wine. My darling husband went to pick it up and I took a hot shower and snuggled into very cozy pjs. My jeans may not fit, but my sweats still do (a whole other issue in itself).

The Chinese food was delicious, the red wine, perfect, and the football game, very exciting--and to top it off I did something for me--that was relaxing! I made a basket. I have not made one since Thanksgiving! I did not come out as I had planned it to, but it is complete, hanging on my basket rack. This sounds cheesy, but I think the basket is a lot like my life right now. It did not come out close to what I thought it was going to look like, but it looks ok anyway. If you look close, you can see the reasons why it is not perfect, but all in all, it is a basket--an accomplishment. Things in my life right now are not where I "planned" them to be, but they are where they are and they are going well. There is still more time to make that same basket the correct way--and really, there is still more time for things to go the way I think they should go.

I am truly rambling now,  but it feels good to be back! And great to relax. One step at a time. :) Until next time! Go PATS!