back to work

Yesterday was my first full day at work in a week. I had to bring the wee one with me on Monday, because we had to take a trip to the doctor. She made herself quite at home in my office. She developed a little rash on her back and couldn't go to daycare. It ended up being nothing, but it got me an extra half day at home with her!

Being back at work for a full day yesterday made it seemed like the longest day ever. Today I am getting back into our routine. We had a good morning, which makes for much better days. I even felt compelled to cut my bangs and fix my hair. It is just long enough now to pull into pig tails!

Gwen went off to daycare well today and I have been in my office for the majority of the day. I thrive on routine and schedules and live for checklists.

I have been whittling away at my list today. Working on some projects that popped up today and thoroughly enjoying the normalcy of the day.

I am looking forward to relaxing at home tonight. We will probably grill out and I am may even wash some dishes! Joe and I are also going to work on some photo editing from our recent trip to Lake Katherine and updating our photography blog - imagesofcamelot.blogspot.com.

I better get back to work, so I can check a few more things off of my to do list!

Weekend

All in all it was a really relaxing weekend - that was much needed. This was such a crazy week. I only worked 1 day. With the long weekend last weekend, the wake, funeral and being sick friday, I kinda had a vacation - from work at least. Now it is back to some sort or normalcy and routine. Gwen's schedule is so off. She has been at my parent's house more then home this week and we have her off her nap and bedtime schedule. It will be good for her to go back to daycare tomorrow.

Gwen and I chilled out yesterday. We spent most of the day on the balcony of our condo.

She just loves being outside, which makes me so happy. I was outside all the time as a child. Of course, when you grow up on 10 acres there is a lot of exploring to do. We basically had our own park where we could run around, climb trees, fish, ride our bikes, in the winter ice skate and still be at home. I feel so blessed to have grown where and when I did.

My parents moved when I was 15 to an area that was further out in the country. They still live there and I love being there. With Joe working almost every weekend, Gwen and I head out there a lot. It is so great for her to be able to run around and play.

My parents recently built a play set for Gwen and her cousins. She had so much fun on it today.

The garden is planted and vegetables will be ready next month. Can't wait for tomatoes ripe off the vine and warm from the afternoon sun. Simple enjoyments. I am going to relish every minute of this summer.

I am looking forward to more relaxing weekends this summer. Life goes by way too quickly and we need to take the time to enjoy the simple things. So for now I am going to relax with a beer on my balcony and enjoy the lovely breeze.

Saying Goodbye

It has been a very long week. Last Saturday, May 28, my husband's father passed away. He was a wonderful man and I was so blessed to have had him as my father-in-law.

My husband lost his father and our daughter lost her grandfather.

The funeral was yesterday and we said our last goodbyes. Goodbyes are never easy. I still have difficulty saying goodbye to my parents when I leave their house. So it is with a heavy heart I say, goodbye Jack. I will truly miss you.

Day 2

Today was extremely busy at work, so I didn't have much time to think about anything, but work.

Random Thoughts

Yesterday I decided I was going to start keeping track of my random thoughts throughout the day. My mind usually goes off in many directions and half the time I can't remember what thought I started with. So here we go with my random thoughts!

1. 22 degrees below average. Yesterday was so cold. I actually had my space heater on in my office for most of the day. I am so over this cold. I want to wear pretty sun dresses and sandals. I am done wearing sweaters and boots.

2. My outfit yesterday was - Navy blue low-rise boot cut pants from Old Navy, grey pinstriped tank from Old Navy, grey ruffled sweater from Charlotte Russe, black heals from Nine West, Cameo from Lia Sophia.

3. Can't wait to get my engagement ring back. As much as I love my sapphire anniversary ring, I am much more comfortable wearing my engagement ring.

4. Going to Irish Fest Saturday!!

5. So excited that the lilacs are blooming.

6. Need to take more photos on a daily basis.

7. Need to start doing yoga again. I am a much calmer person when I start out my day with yoga. It helps me cope with things better. Healthy body, healthy mind.

8. I need to make more mommy friends for playdates.

9. Need to look into tot programs for Gwen.

It kind of turned into a to do list of sorts. So hopefully keeping track of ideas will help me update this blog more often. I sit down to write and I feel I have nothing to say, when in actuality I have a lot of thoughts. They just are all jumbled.

Today starts day two. Let's see how well I do!

Reminiscing

I am feeling very sentimental today. I picked up Grandma's watch from the jeweler last night. Grandpa gave her this watch over 60 years ago. It was in several pieces when I brought it to the jeweler and I didn't even know if she could do anything with it. It is running now and doesn't look half bad considering the aforementioned condition it started off in when I received it. I am just glad to have it on my wrist.

Now I just have to remember to wind it!

I know I should be working, but I find my mind drifting off so easily today, mostly to thoughts of my Grandma. She was an amazing woman and I miss her so much. Grandma passed away on Mother's Day 2009. She would have been 87 that July. She was from England and met my Grandfather during the war. He was an American GI who was 13 years her senior and they had a passionate love affair.

Grandma use to tell me stories about how they met and their wedding and I would and still do create pictures in my head to go along with them. Grandpa passed away when my Grandma was only 47. They shared 25 wonderful years of marriage. Grandma never remarried and was still completely in love with Grandpa until the day she died. I like to think they are up in Heaven continuing their love affair. They were apart for so long.

I often think about writing a book about her life and telling her amazing story. So as I sit here today daydreaming about writing the next best seller, which of course is a daydream in and of itself, I look to her photo on my desk for inspiration. But as the hands on my watch remind me of time, it is time for me to get back reality and back to work.

Frustrations

Life can be so frustrating at times for all us, but at the young age of 16 months it can be even more infuriating. My daughter is going through a difficult phase right now and she becomes frustrated so easily. She is so determined and independent and this leads to major meltdowns when she can't do something by herself.

Yesterday was a bad day for her, which turned into a bad day for me. She ate terribly and slept even worse. These factors lead to several major meltdowns, one of which was at a restaurant. I was completely mortified. She usually waits until we are home to self destruct.

I am trying to teach her to ask for help when she wants or needs something. We will see how this goes. Today is day one. Wish me luck!