Lots of rainbows this time of year. Afternoon thunderstorms almost always bring rainbows as the sun sets. This one was on our trip up to Brooksville on Friday early evening.
It always seems like summer is almost over when August looms in the near distance. It may be because of all the "back to school" ads that appear. Funny how I still measure time by how many days are left until school starts!
I have been preparing for months for our trip to California at the end of August. My Ben is getting married. He and Jill are doing it up right. They are being considerate of people and funds and doing their best to plan a nice time for everyone. I am so grateful for who they are. I got a nice compliment from my Aunt Barbara the other day; actually a compliment about my children. She told me that I raised two really nice, considerate people. I can't take the credit for all of it, but I sure would get the blame for the opposite. Don't you think that is the way we judge parents in this world? I do at least, but I try to catch myself when I do. I was very conscious of trying to be a good parent all the time. It was exhausting and sometimes I gave into that and wasn't the best parent I could have been. I feel good about my kid's growth into responsible human beings. They are truthful and hardworking. I am not sure I could ask for more than that.
Now it is my turn to focus on my life. It has been a strange and challenging transition. I have had dreams in the past, but no support system to pursue them. When I wanted to go to college I was told "there is no money." Money seemed to be the ONLY thing that was needed to succeed. We didn't have it, so I gave up any big dreams that might cost money. I felt that I wasn't good enough to get what I wanted. I think that was my parents disappointment rubbing off onto me. I am just now learning to wash my thoughts clean of that. It is so sad when people are unrealized in their dreams and hopes and I cannot bear the thought of being one of those persons. There isn't much that makes me afraid any more. That is truly my biggest accomplishment in my life since raising my kids. If I think too much about something the old fears start creeping in, but for the most part I am fearless. At least I can recognize that process and take steps to fight it. I surprise myself sometimes with how bold I can be. Although I have my BA in English I am still stumped about "what to do when I grow up?" I am seeing this quiet reflective time as a gift from the Universe to get myself ready for the next chapter. I am more optimistic and calm keeping that thought in my head. Things are changing dramatically at the shop so my next assignment (should I choose to accept it) will probably we something along the lines of sales rep. for Rock's Precision Machining! That's ok too!
The wildflowers are blooming profusely in my little garden at Brooksville. There are a lot of black eyed Susans and Indian blankets. The yellow coreopsis are spent and so are the phlox. It is always a delight to have flowers to cut and bring in the house to enjoy! The great gift is that the more I cut them the more they keep blooming...what a great system!
Lou and I celebrated our 8th anniversary this weekend. We had a lovely dinner at the Chart House on Tampa Bay near the airport then drove up to Brooksville to enjoy the quiet of our pine covered property. We just replaced the pool liner so we, I mean I, can use the pool again after months of having it empty. Lou has gotten into the pool once since we moved there in 2006 and this weekend he actually put on his swim trunks and dangled his feet in what he considered frigid water. It was 80 degrees!! He is the quintessential LEO, the cat!
We had a lovely, relaxing weekend and now are back in Safety Harbor.
I picked up my gown for Ben and Jill's wedding and at first thought it didn't need any alterations. The length was perfect, it zipped up without any trouble, but after trying it on again at home I saw that the sleeves were a wee bit too big, so back today to the seamstress at Athena's Bridal store to get it altered. I considered doing it myself since I just had my sewing maching reconditioned, but nahhhh...that is too scary to try to do that on my own. Let the experts mess with the chiffon and satin and pleats...Yikes!
