Day of Rest

Sometimes I find myself wondering how others might cope with the type of schedule I try to follow on occasion when things get truly overwhelming.... like the past few days. I spent most of Thursday working on paperwork in my studio (takes tons of fortitude when all of that luscious fiber is calling out to me and I hate paperwork), trying to beat a deadline with some alpaca registrations.

Paul went out of town on Friday, so I did all of the kid running, making two trips to Lexington and other important stuff like exchanging locker shelves for the RIGHT KIND and picking up meds for alpacas, groceries, post office, bank, tube feed cria, oil change and blah, blah, blah. Then I headed to Ohio with the kids and Munchie. The brakes locked up on the stock trailer while on I-75 with a semi behind me- God helped us safely out of the way and off we went again. We left for Columbus early on Saturday with my parents and slipped in a quick lunch visit with my brother Andy and his family. Then over to OSU to pick up Dulce and Ginger Spice- Ginger was there for treatment for a severe ear infection which resulted in having to have her eye removed (more on that another day or on my other blog).

Afterwards, we headed South, dropped off my parents, and were back in Lexington in time to drop Robert off at the football game. Then home with enough time to get everyone on the farm fed and medicated, then back to Lexington to pick up Robert, then back home.... ending in a long walk in the dark from the not-working-gate (X?@!!!) to the house and collapsing in bed.... phew!

So, how would anyone else cope with all of this stuff to do? Simple... nobody else would choose it but I HAVE. Sometimes I get bitchy and don't cope so well, but I try to remind myself that I have been given and earned and am so fortunate to be living this crazy, loco life... with kids that are truly blessings, a husband who I fight with on occasion but love with my whole heart (and he loves me back!), two healthy, living parents to visit, a ton of animals who have lots of needs but give us so many rewards, a sometimes-complicated farm life which is away from the family I grew up with but still not too far to see them on a regular basis, and so many other great things with which my life is filled.

And Today, Sunday is supposed to be a day of Rest and that I will try to do....not having gone to church this morning, I will at least try to turn my thoughts to gratitude.... for this loco life that I am so blessed to live.

P.S. Out of water at lower barn, had to haul buckets of water for horses, almost forgot about needing to deliver an alpaca to new home... so much for the day of rest. But, today is a new day!

Getting hooked

Yesterday morning, as I woke to the prospect of my stepson Jason's joyous wedding day, I asked my husband if he remembered what question he asked me 20 years before. Without missing a beat, he said "I gave you a tackle box and fishing pole for your birthday and when you opened up the compartment with the diamond ring in it I asked if you wanted to get hooked?!" Of course I said yes, and the rest is history!

I have enjoyed reminiscing about those fun days of planning and excitement as we anticipated Jason and Crystal's wedding. There is just nothing better than bringing together your very best friends and all of your family to share in the formalizing of your love and committment. Okay, I'm gonna start getting sappy and weapy if I don't watch it! (Here's a cute picture of my parents, below, married 57? years!)

All that I can say is that the day we decided to get hooked and the day that Jason and Crystal tied the knot were two of the best birthdays, no BEST DAYS, I've ever had! It was a beautiful evening (thank you, Lord, for a reprieve from rain!) and I was extremely proud of Mirian and Robert's poise as members of the wedding party. It was sooo much fun watching Mirian and Jason dancing, and to see cousins from California to North Carolina having a great time together. Even my parents hung in there until after 1 AM with my Dad boogeying with the rest of us- nobody wanted to leave such a great party! Love, love, happy, happy, it was just awesome!!!! (Well worth missing the Preakness over- yeah, Rachel Alexandra!) Best prayers and wishes to Jason and Crystal!!!! We are truly thrilled that you got hooked.

Mondays get me down...

Remember the old Karen Carpenter song, Rainy Days and Mondays... Always Get Me Down? It's a perfectly beautiful day, but the old Monday syndrome is hitting as I force myself to make up a to-do list and try to focus. This is where the Loco Life name comes in, as I have SO many things I need to catch up on and also so many things that I just want to do (digital scrapbooking experiments, knitting projects, baking), and I can't seem to reconcile it all in my head.

I have resolved to de-horde and organize a lot of stuff this year, and I have been whittling away at it, one corner at a time. But it seems that every time I turn around there is yet another corner! I just can't seem to get myself back into a routine, though this is a familiar feeling this time of year since August has been back-to-school time for, um, about 40 years of my life (including going to school, teaching for 13 years, and now having kids in school).

I keep telling myself that once Robert goes back next week, I can get myself back into a schedule.... but I am also trying hard not to wish any time away.

I live with such a "full cup" of blessings.... my faith, great husband, two healthy children, beautiful farm, wonderful home, I really could go on and on. In fact, I know that's what I need to remember to start each day with, gratitude. But when your child has forgotten their lunch (that school is 9 miles away), another has to get to soccer practice nearly 35 miles away, clients are calling and emailing, 2 employees need direction, you need to go to the grocery, clean your messy house, and do about 5 loads of laundry... no wonder I'm loco!

4 hours later.... okay I'm feeling a bit better now that I've gotten Mirian's lunch handled and picked up Robert's friend whose mom has to go to work. I suppose that most of the rest of it can wait... ironically an upbeat friend wrote today in her email, "I think I'm suffering from a plethora of good luck and wonderful opportunities. Hard to feel sorry about that!" I can't agree more, sorry to be complaining.

I've never been a journal writer, but I am finding a bit of valuable reflection from blogging so far... my subsequent car time made me think of what I had already written, and enabled me the perspective to remember how fortunate I am to HAVE a house to clean, clothes to wash, a job of my choosing, food to prepare, and a great family to serve. Thank you, Lord, for my "problems."