BRING ON SUMMER!!!

As the last few days of my job are wrapping up (I’m off in June & July), I have a lot to think about!   What will summer bring???

First of all, I have needed a break.    For a variety of reasons, the last few weeks of work have been stressful.   Maybe it was the office move, maybe it was a packed full schedule (work and personal), or maybe it was the end of the school year blahs, but I need a break!   I am grateful for the next two months to rejuvenate myself and to take time to focus a little on me!  (I work hard not to sound selfish when I say that!)

So, what will my summer be like?   Well, first and foremost, I’ll be counting the days until Baby T makes his/her arrival in early September.   I’ll be getting updates from Katie but I’ll be visiting frequently too.   Things will be going so quickly for them and I’ll be along for the ride!
Next, I have a list of projects…clean out the closets, clean the window ledges and baseboards, clear the cobwebs from the hanging light fixtures, etc…You know about these things, right?   Chores that have been tossed aside and scheduled as “summer projects!”  

I will also be doing my “day trips” and I’m more excited about them this year because I have a lot of places on my list.   For those of you who may not know, last summer, I had decided to take one day trip each week in June and July.   Time got away from me so there were only 4-5 trips in the 8 week period but I hope to change that this year.   I have many places in Ohio on my list and hopefully, I’ll be able to share my trips through this blog. 

Please understand that as much as I would like to have you join me on one of these day trips, I am determined to travel alone.   I want to become more comfortable traveling and dining alone.   However, I am happy to take an additional day trip with you if there is some place you would like to go.

Also during June and July, there are trips to the track, bourbon country and the beach on my schedule.  Of course, I’ll be going to the pool here at the apartment on every day that I can!   Chores in the morning, pool in the afternoon!   I’ve got it figured out!!  

Right now, I’m exhausted!   This is the time when I feel like I can’t get out on break quick enough.   Then, I look at what I have going on in the next two months and my palms get sweaty just thinking about how quickly it will go.   It is overwhelming!
INSERT my counseling visit from this morning!!   We talked about my "lists" and she used the white board to list the things I talked about getting done.   Then, we prioritized them!   She really made me think.   I found that the "Lisa" time was the least important when I looked at the list, when in fact, it should be the most important.   Again, there is some shame in saying that.   But it's true!   I told her that I am a big "list maker" and it gives me great satisfaction to mark things off of my list.   She said, "At the same time you are satisfied with the tasks that you have accomplished, you are feeling bad for the things that you were unable to complete."   True statement!   My biggest takeaway from her today was don't make a list at the beginning of the day, but rather, make a DONE LIST every night.  (sorry for the grammar there!)   "And I mean list every thing you did and be grateful," she said!   What a concept!!!    Listing the things I DID complete and not seeing the things that I did not complete!    She also told me to be okay with "B-minus" work.   Everything does not have to be an A plus!   That's hard to think about but it is okay.   I have included a picture of our white board work today...you may not understand it all, but I'm here to share!!  

Now, I will always have lists, and I can mark things off of them, but truly, I'm going to write down the things that I did at the end of the day, so I can appreciate those things...because we know there will be some type of progress/success every day!  

One thing I have learned this past year is to make time for myself…I mean seriously.   I call it “Lisa Day.”   I actually write it on my calendar because Lord knows, if it’s not on the calendar, it isn’t going to happen!   Lisa Day can mean staying in my PJs and watching BRAVO or binge watching Netflix, or it can mean reading all day at the pool, or getting a massage, or shopping online or retail therapy, or any number of things that have me answering to no one or being completely free to do as I please.   If you happen to call me on a "Lisa Day," don't be mad if I say "no thanks" to an offer for dinner or a movie.   It's just me being true to myself.  

Why don’t you do the same?   Take time for yourself, write it on your calendar, and enjoy it!   Do not feel guilty, do not feel embarrassed, just do it!!   You’ll thank me later!  XOXOXO

Now, for the love of Pete…BRING ON SUMMER!!!   I have a "DONE" list to get to!!!