Another Weekend Away

Hiya folks and happier Monday!

As mentioned in my outfit post, I spent another weekend away. You might be thinking I'm running away from my full house but really I'm not....although I may have high-tailed it down the highway needing a mental health break from life---no lies. This time I headed directly for my other home---that town on the coast where my parents live, where I went to high school, where I met hub, and where there's just another vibe of life. I went thinking that I would feel so much more at ease and relaxed with time away, but in reality leaving here made me realize just how much I have here. I missed my dogs, my cats, my chickens, my bed....and I wanted nothing more than to be back where I could sit hub down for a long conversation. Originally I was going to come back today but instead I came back last night.

I took my time on the drive back---thinking about life, blaring the tunes, and appreciating the country. I took the back roads that hub isn't as keen to take and I breathed in remembering that views like the one below are what make Oregon forever feel like my home in my heart:

I might get tired of being home sometimes, but no other place has everything I could want.

My emotions have been all over the place the last two weeks--like perpetual PMS--it's been fabulous. Haha. I'm tired of work, tired of picking up the house, tired of not getting enough time with hub, tired of not being able to fix things for other people I love, tired of the gray days and ready for summer. An hour before I had to teach last Wednesday I also started feeling an UTI---needless to say I chugged an entire bottle of pure cranberry juice, five glasses of water, and then called class after two hours (an hour early) so I could come home to sleep it off. I stayed home Thursday morning and slept some more (and honestly I slept til 11am this morning). Since Thursday I haven't had any coffee, almost no alcohol, less sugar.....and what I've realized is that my body is exhausted and I'm probably more stressed by life in general than I've let myself realize. I also recognize however that there are many, many who have more to complain about than I---perspective is a good way to keep going.

Going home was good for many reasons. I spent time with Mom & Dad. One of my high school best friends fit me into her schedule for lunch on Saturday.....and our hour bitch fest again put my life in perspective and left us both looking forward to the road trip to come this August. I spent much time with hub's "fam"----visiting our newest "nephew" (hub's middle name sake), then attended the county beauty pageant to support our gal who was in it. On Sunday, I went to church with Mom and Dad---and just being there in the church of my youth and hearing the message, left me restored and remembering how much an important aspect of my life that needs to be. It's no wonder I get overwhelmed and whiny, when I start to lose perspective on what it's all about.

On the trip back I stopped briefly at my sister's and then headed over to my brother's to hang out for a bit. And then I arrived back to my house just as it was getting dark. Hub and I spent the rest of the evening wrapped up in conversation--not always the one we wanted to be having, but it was much, much needed and the resolution was closer to where we need to be. I so love that man but it's not always an easy road for either of us. A quick bite at 10pm, an episode of The Walking Dead snuggled on the couch together, and then some reading in bed before lights out---how time goes by so fast I'm always unsure!

This week is already looking like it'll be interesting. One of my vets is supposed to be coming to help put together a presentation, there's a staff meeting/event planning meeting on Friday, an urgent meeting got called for tomorrow morning, and then it's the final week of teaching and regular work week. Next week is finals, grades, and then I kid you not.....I will be sitting on my butt somewhere for the week of spring break---just two weeks to go and it can't get here soon enough!

As much as I'm tired and probably sounding full of complaints, I still recognize how good I have it. I have a solid husband who can melt my heart with a single look in the moments when he lets me see it. I have two rambunctious and loving dogs who bring so much joy to my life. I look out my back windows and see our chickens running around like crazies, laying their eggs in random places, but still being entertaining and productive. I have a warm, full home---one big enough to provide for others who need a place to be. I have great landlords. I have two jobs which allow me to educate and impact others, when all I really need is one. I have the freedom to choose whether or not I keep those jobs. I have parents and siblings who love me unconditionally and accept me for who I am. And when I grant the time I should to think about it, I have a Father who will continue to hold me in his palm--protecting, providing, and guiding. I have so much......that so easily gets overlooked in the minor concerns of the day.

More to say but this is already out of control---remind me to post about age---and feeling it :)

If you made it this far, I apologize for the internal word dump and I sincerely hope y'all had restoring weekends! But even more, I hope y'all have a great week ahead of you!