So Much to Do! Why?

Where does the time go? I feel like I've been so busy I can't sit long enough to write - or think. I'm working hard getting everything ready to launch my training business in the fall. I'm planning recipes and working out kinks for my food blog. I've started to put my photos on Shutterstock - finding, refining, loading, etc. And there is so much to do around this house! The bamboo and blackberries have taken over and the ponds are begging for some clean up! It's almost into July and my Adirondack chair still sits in the overhang. Haven't had time to move it, let alone sit in it!

And this makes me wonder. Why?

Why do we make ourselves so busy that we neglect just being in the here and now and reveling in the moment? Why do we think we have to accomplish so much?

Well alrighty then. Tomorrow is the official first day of summer and my plan is to allow myself to relax and enjoy it! From this moment on, chores are off limits on Sunday. Sunday is my day to sit in my Adirondack chair under the mimosa tree and read. I have magazines from April that I haven't read. And while I'm there I think I'll close my eyes and listen to the sounds of the birds and squirrels and waterfalls. I think I'll simply "be in the moment".

I'm 62 years old. I've used up more than half of my summers. I intend to make this one count. How about you? How will you make your time matter?




Ahhh....

(Almost) Anything Goes Blog Party # 2 - The Summer Edition

Yep - It's an anything goes party. Well, almost anything. Please do NOT post any adult content or items for sale. This party is for all women, young and old, with or without children. Please post things that are fun, relevant and non-offensive (negative posts will be deleted!)

Can you believe it will officially be summer next week? Are you enjoying some sunshine and summer fun? Share it with us!

 A BIG thank you to the folks who partied with us last week! 

So are you ready to go again? Do you have some fun Fourth of July decorations to make, or an inspiring story to share? Bring it here!

The party goes from Saturday through Friday

(Almost) Anything Goes Blog Party #1

Yep - It's an anything goes party. Well, almost anything. Please do NOT post any adult content. This party is for all women, young and old, with or without children. Please post things that are fun, relevant and non-offensive (negative posts will be deleted!)

So lets get started! What great ideas and thoughts do you have?

An InLinkz Link-up

The Journey

Life is a journey. But it's not a straight and even path. It's not all roses and birds singing. It has twists and turns and thorns and unbearable obstacles. Life throws punches.

As I have been working through my own problems, discovering difficult things about myself and learning to rise above them, I see others around me dealing with things beyond my comprehension. Illness, death, deep personal loss.

As I ponder on my life and how many blessings I've had - how many hills and obstacles I've managed to overcome -  I am grateful for it all. Through it I've learned that we all need to hold on to each other. We are all a part of this journey.

If we humans reach out and hold each other, we can walk this journey of life so much better. Together we can traverse the darkness and together celebrate the joys.

Resting in the Beauty of Nature

My life gets crazy. I work full time as a child care center manager. I am developing a business to train Early Childhood professionals. I have a cooking blog, a photography blog, three cats and a husband. And sometimes I get overwhelmed.

That's when I take some time outdoors. Science tells us that being outdoors enhances creativity and boosts energy. It boosts our immune systems, gives us a good dose of vitamin D (a vitamin most of us are deficient in) and helps us create focus. And that's just being outdoors. Add being in nature to the equation.

Simple Pleasures

I love that the weather is getting warmer. One of my favorite things to do is visit a farmer's market. We have them all over where I live. This last Saturday I spent some time at a small one in Salem. 

There wasn't a lot of produce yet, but there were plenty of plants. I perused for a bit then spent some cash. I bought the plants I needed for my garden - tomatillos, peppers and some herbs. I found some early strawberries and they were so sweet and juicy! One booth sold radishes. Many different varieties of radishes - and sweet Japanese turnips. These little white, radish sized roots were fabulous just as a snack! Carrots, rainbow chard...A bag full of fresh goodness.

When I returned home to put everything away and plant the herbs and vegetables, I was reminded how blessed I am to live in the place I do. Yes, we get a lot of rain here in the Pacific Northwest, but that rain is what makes the forests so lush with flowers and ferns and greenery.

 It's what turns a dry, barren field into a picturesque scene from a painting. I am driving distance from the desert, the mountains or the beach. There are wilderness hiking trails close enough to traverse every day if I choose. 

My backyard is 1/4 acre of trees and birds and peace. 

I am grateful for this wonderful place I live.

© Copyright 2018 Helen Fern

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National Wear Your PJs to Work Day

What? Wear you PJs to work? Now that could cause quite a stir depending on what you call PJs! Who comes up with these things? #WearYourPajamastoWork - There is even a website dedicated to it! National Wear your Pajamas to Work Day - There's a movement!

It's a day to relax after working so hard on getting your taxes done (mine were done in February). It's the day after tax day every year - except this year tax day is April 17, so it's the day before tax day!

Now I don't know about you, but what I wear to bed is not for public viewing. I suppose I could wear my sweats, or perhaps my leggings and a long shirt. You know, the stuff you wear when you sit around the house. And what if you don't wear PJs? What then?

Hmmm....

Just a few thoughts to ponder on this day of relaxations. Happy Wear your Pajamas to Work Day!

(Note: this is as close as you get to me in my PJs)