Looking for motivation....

I think I am in a slump.  I am looking for motivation.  Motivation to write and even motivation to read.  I have just not been in the mood lately and I don't know why.  I have not even felt like reading lately.  Hopefully my slump will be short lived and I will be back............eventually......

Sleep......a necessary thing...

We have had relatives in from out of town and it's been great seeing them and having some great late nights kibitzing together, sharing desserts, beers and a few good laughs.  There is nothing like it and I love seeing them.  My only problem is if I do not get proper sleep I am a cranky, tired, not well focused girl who is just drooping and dragging herself around which is where I am at right now.  The desire for sleep is so strong it is all I can think about.  I think about the comfort of my bed, the softness of my pillow, my favorite jammies, and my coziest covers.  My hubby says I am seriously sleep deprived.  Today is Wednesday but my plan already for the weekend includes sleep and naps and dozing and cat naps and more sleep.  And maybe some snoring!!

The Curse

My hubby's birthday was yesterday and for his birthday I got a Y membership for the whole family.  Something he has been wanting for a long time.  Plus, if the whole family uses it...it's a major plus if we all get in shape.  It was great because I got to swim before work and I loved it!!  Great for exercise and stress!

But yesterday my dearest friend (the curse) arrived.  Ugh...you know, THAT time of the month.  I was gonna go to the Y today...but she had other plans for me.  I awoke this morning feeling crampy, dizzy, and feeling sick....why I say, why do you do this to me when I am getting my rear in gear to do something good?  Why do we women have to go through this?   I wish there was a button I could push which means "curse, I am done having kids so I am done with you and I am turning you off"....wouldn't that be nice?

What would you do?

What would you do if..... someone kept letting their dog poop on your lawn and they don't clean it up?  It did not just happen once or twice...we are talking like six times now so this is no accident.  We have a security camera but we have not caught them in the act yet....but I wonder what do we do if and when we do?

Day 10, Prep Work

Spent the last day of vacation getting ready for the work week.  Had grocery shopping to stock up on and a gift to purchase, etc.......it felt like impending doom was coming and lurking all around me.  LOL!  It was so stinking hot you could not do much other than shop!  Supposed to be 100 today!!  Not much more to say other than....I guess...I am prepared to go to work today....at least I am well rested. 

Day 9, Happy 4th of July FireworkLESS

So here it is the celebration of Independence Day....one of the nations proudest days.  Our town, like most others across America, felt the pinch this year when the pulled the plug on our fireworks and parade.  Now, unlike most towns, our town always did it the week after anyway.....and we called it Freedom Day, a day filled with parades, events and fireworks but the damn recession bit our town in the ass and it's not happening this year.  This 4th of July we went to a small picnic at a relatives, enjoyed some good pool time and then headed home.  I was worn out and headed to bed before 11 but I did turn on the t.v. and watched on t.v. as Philadelphia celebrated in style.  It was a mob scene but my heart wished I was there....even maybe from a distance watching....I was glad I watched as Philly is this nations birthplace and they really did it in style!  Yay Philly!

Next week, July 10, would normally be our town's Freedom Day and although the plug is being pulled...we are saying the hell with you and celebrating anyway with our usual big picnic at my in-laws house....there will be no parade and no fireworks but there will be a lot of good people having fun and celebrating anyway.....so go ahead recession do your thing but this family is gonna celebrate our Independence anyway!  Hope everyone had a Happy 4th!

Day 8, Reality is getting closer

Woke up on Day 8 and the heat was on!  If your watching the news you know the northeast is entering into a heat wave.  My youngest son who has been a great sport all week asked us if we could head home....and so we did.  After all, this would give us time to relax before heading back to that nasty thing called "work", visit with a relative who is in from out of town, and chill out with some relatives for the 4th.  All in all not bad, but not the fun-filled dream world I was living in.  Wake up girl, reality is just around the corner.

Day 7, Tour De Shore

Today was my first day back on my bike since I hurt my back (back in September I had sciatic nerve pain which turned into nerve damage and out of work for 3 months).  Hence, you can imagine my hesitation to get back "in the saddle" again.  I was told I can give it a go but go easy to start.  So today I went.  We have this great road down here called Dock Road.  It's like taking a ride back in time...all the houses are on this marsh overlooking the bay and there is a constant breeze and all the homes are the older shore homes on stilts.  I love that look.  Believe me big, new and beautiful is great too....but I have a sweet spot in my heart for the older shore home.  So away we went down this road.....grand total it was a 7 mile ride and I did well.  No pain which was a big relief.  The reward at the end is a beautiful view of the bay>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Nice gazebo to get out of the sun:

After the ride we hopped in the pool and this was the view......I am not sure what I am going to do when I have to return to reality next week. 

Day 6, Shore Bliss

On Day 6 we decided we wanted to eat at our favorite eatery in Barnegat, NJ...Kelly's Old Barney Restaurant...has by far the best Manhattan Clam Chowder EVER. Check it out:  http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=kelly%27s+old+barney+restaurant&fb=1&gl=us&hq=kelly%27s+old+barney+restaurant&hnear=Manahawkin,+NJ&cid=6657329880141686855

It was late in the afternoon when done but we decided to make a quick trip to the beach.  It always turns out that those quick trips are the best.  The water was crystal clear...it was low tide and you could go out forever.  I actually got in the water and it was sooo warm.  We stayed even after the lifeguards left sunning ourselves and just enjoying the beach itself.  That night we played Phase 10 card game and we all laughed so hard that I thought I was gonna pee myself.  It was a GREAT day and I slept like a log.  I just had to share with everyone the clarity of the water in the picture below.