Monday, August 18, 2014

August 18, 2014

The kids are back to school, and we survived the first week! Hallelujah :)

It has been busy.  High school and middle school, we've had some adjusting.

Marching band.

To the parents who have been through this, I know they are nodding their heads saying - yeah, I know.  To those who are toying with the idea for their up and coming brilliant musicians... I don't know what to say.

Here are the pros:
You child will turn into a zombie.
Going into high school, your child will have already gotten to know 150-200 other kids, so high school won't be so scary.
You child will be so busy they may not have much time to get into trouble.
Your child will seem to be pretty happy. Busy and happy, with new friends, and spending lots of time with them.

Cons:
You may never see your child again.  From 2 weeks of 7:30 - 4:00 pm practices in the hot FL summer sun, your child may turn into a zombie, who pretty much just shows up for feeding and watering.  Forget the interaction.
You may never see your child again.  From practices twice a week, plus Friday night games, then out to dinner afterwards, plus Saturday trips or projects, and a few sectionals, and several get togethers, and a million group chats with 34 of your best friends, your child will be scarce.
Your schedule will be instantly reduced to rubble.  Everything that you have, will become inconsequential as it is imperative that you pick up a lyre for your child immediately, before practice in 10 minutes!  Last minute sectionals, you name it, suddenly you will be a frazzled mess trying to fit in pottery and music classes for other children, not to mention your own meetings, and responsibilities.

Choose well.

I started up my exercise routine again last week (in conjunction with school).  Although, I still think that anyone who exercises in Florida in the summer is crazy.  I'm still trying to figure out how to deal with the stinging sweat that blinds me as a bike back home each day! Last week I hit everyday except for Thursday. I biked Mon - Wed. and got a flat on Wed after my ride.  Took the day off on Thursday, went to the gym with a friend on Friday, and worked on our yard clearing out an entire bed full of generic plants, and then removing all of the grass from our pineapple plantation.  Sore.

Our yard:
We've got 18 pineapples in the ground, and 4 or 5 more ready to plant.  Excited to mulch the pineapples, amend the soil, and plant the dill, cilantro, oregano, stevia, lavender, parsley, basil, and citronella that have been waiting so patiently for their new home.
The papaya plant trunk has doubled or tripled, and there are several blossoms on it!  The fig tree seems to be growing a branch - not much upwards or outwards. The mango tree has grown voraciously, and has just put out growth that looks like is turning into branches (it previously just kept shooting straight up), the banana plant root base has tripled, and the keylime/lemon tree has about 10 little key limes that are coming along very nicely.  Love growing food in my yard!  

Today on my bike ride, I decided that I choose to LIVE today.  To hear the birds sing and the bugs buzz, to taste my sweat on my lips, to feel the sun on my skin, the push of my muscles, and the wind in my hair, and the coolness as my sweat cools me with the wind, and to see the beautiful vibrant colors of the flowers and foliage everywhere I go.

What a beautiful life - I'm choosing to live it abundantly today!