Good morning, my friends! Happy "Recovery from the Holiday Weekend" Monday! I hope your weekend was everything you planned and hoped for. We had a wonderful time celebrating our country's 250th Birthday. We spent time at Madison and Nicolas', our house, and at the condo, doing all the things. Most importantly, we spent time together.
Hot Dog and Hamburger Eating, Flags Waving, Stars and Stripes Forever Playing, Fireworks Bursting, M&Ms Melting, Waves Crashing, Old Memories Comforting, and New Ones Making
It was so much fun! Yesterday, after we said goodbye to Peyton and Chris, with reassurances that we would see them soon, I got to work wiping, washing, sweeping, and tidying. This is something I have always done after saying goodbye to one of my children after a visit. I don't do this because I feel like I need to clean. Rather, I do this to keep myself busy and distracted until the sadness passes, and the fact that my house is put back together is simply an added bonus.
After my quick therapeutic cleaning session, I promptly lay down on my freshly made bed and fell asleep. Afternoon naps in the heat of summer bring me a special kind of happiness, I tell you. I woke refreshed and ready for Mass, which our parish holds on Sunday at 5:00 PM and is often lovingly referred to as the "Last Chance Mass." After Mass, we grabbed some burgers at 5 Guys, a place we don't often frequent, but we wanted something quick and easy so we could head to the beach.
Just the evening before, this beach was filled with people, sitting around fires in the sand, listening to music, and watching fireworks. I enjoyed that, for certain. Last night, however, was my kind of evening on the beach. It was less crowded, quieter, and calmer. We sat and visited, and I read my book until it was time to head back home across the bridge.
Today will be a quiet one around here. I have a short list of things I want to accomplish this summer, one of which is catching up on Flynn's scrapbook. I also want to go over Flynn's curriculum and make some choices for the fall. I also want to sit on the porch with my coffee and simply be. Believe it or not, that is the hardest thing to do. With so many things competing for our attention, we may find it hard to feel comfortable letting things be. Things I want to work on? My phone can ring, and I can let it go to voicemail. A text can come, and I can respond later. The constant need for instant gratification can be replaced with contentment, peace, calm, and coffee. And a cookie or two.
Have a nice day, my friends. Thank you for visiting. I am going to visit with you today, and I am looking forward to seeing what is new in your world.
Billie Jo
Sounds like a great way to spend the 4th of July. I love the beach but I do not enjoy when they are crowded.
ReplyDeleteI loved your photos, Billie Jo! What a great time you all had! Have a happy and blessed week ahead!
ReplyDeleteLove the last paragraph about things you are working on. Me, too! Contentment, peace and coffee:)
ReplyDeleteHi Billie Jo! You had a really great holiday weekend. Isn't America just a great country to celebrate!?! So glad you could be with your family and "do all the things." Your last paragraph really resonates with me. Something I really need to work on. I love how you stay busy until the blues pass. That's a great way to deal with the post-holiday blues many of us deal with. I hope you have a wonderful week! I love reading about what you are up to and seeing the beautiful photos of your life. See you again soon!
ReplyDeleteI love getting to join you in your world. Mine is spent alone most of the time but I'm OK with that for now. Love your family pics and the view of the ocean. I long to see the ocean! Love you, Diane
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteAs always, beautiful photos and happy smiling faces the way it should be. And peas in a pod -Headphones on, cleaning, tidying, organizing to keep the sadness at bay. It’s funny- when we’d visit my mother-in-law, as we were leaving she would always say, “when can you come back?” I wish I would’ve known then what I know now it’s hard to see those kids come and go :(
ReplyDeleteYour header is gorgeous! and wonderful photos, my favorites being the one of you and your husband, and the gorgeous ocean with the sky and ship. What a perfect weekend you had!
ReplyDeleteAawww - what a picture perfect weekend. You and your Crew sure celebrated in style! How fun to get to go to such a beautiful beach all the time. I love your new header. It's so pretty. :) Now that July 4th is done....I must confess I have allowed myself some Fall thoughts (I know you will understand). But I'm still soaking up summer moments and working to just read out on the deck and just be as well. You're right...it's so difficult to do most days! Blessings to you on the week ahead and I hope you get lots more "let it be" moments.
ReplyDeleteWonderful memories made. X
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful time celebrating and spending time with each other.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a wonderful time—such a beautiful place, a celebration, and loved ones around you... We have the same job, Billy Jo! I’m a primary school teacher, but I work with children who have special educational needs or simply learning difficulties (that’s my area of specialization). Someone who does this kind of work is surely a very sensitive person... Have a great week, my friend!!
ReplyDeleteHello my friend!! What a beautiful LIFE FILLED weekend you had. I always love reading about your family times. I hope you have great week. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteI understand the idea of therapeutic cleaning to stave off the sads after a holiday, because just now realized when I was reading your post that its exactly what I was doing for years! Transitions can be tricky when your kids grow up. As far as downtime - a friend told me last week "you don't have to earn that". Wish someone had told me that years ago!
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