One Year

Today is the one year anniversary of this blog. 

I started the blog as I was closing in on the last few months of my career as a public school teacher.  I had taken on a job the last three years that was really a fantastic way to go out. Our school district had been awarded a grant to open science labs in 5 elementary schools.  I oversaw this grant's implementation. It was a big job with many responsiblilites, but I loved it. It was a win-win for me as the job's end would coincide with my planned retirement date.

I must say I was ready to retire, but scared at the same time. 

http://palmerspathfinders.blogspot.com/2013/01/temperature-lesson-for-kindergarten.html

I was so tired to begin with; that for the summer I just had to let myself rest. I went to the beach, looked at my messes, and spent time just thinking and reflecting.

When school started back, I began to feel alive again and began the process of putting my home back in order.

I have learned quite a few things since my June retirement.

One of the things I learned is that saying, "Rome was built in a day," applied with putting my home back together. After a rough year of being away from home more than I was there left me with dust bunnies in every corner and under every piece of furniture. The last few years of teaching had really worn me down physically with my Rheumatoid Arthritis. I had let so many things go. I had to make a list and just do a little each day. I am beginning to see progress, but it was hard at first. I am physically doing better due in part to less stress! I still have many more areas to go in the home and we have so many things that need repaired, but slow and steady is going to win this race.

I am understanding that routines are important just like in my job. I am working hard to get those in place. I know a clean home makes everyone feel better and less stress for me. I get bent out of shape by the messiness. I have also worked on not comparing myself or my home to anyone else. There will always be something to want, so learning to be content is on my top priority. Just being satisfied to be home for a season and taking care of the family.

I am learning to enjoy my hobbies that were put on a back shelf for many years and so grateful for the time to do them.

I am doing quite a bit of sewing.

I am loving that I have set goals for my quiet time with the Lord and that I have time to actually sit and dig deeper, drink a cup of coffee, and pray for an extended period of time.

I am learning to sit on my porch and relax, even though time is ticking. I rushed for so many years and had so much school work to do that I found it very hard to ever turn the job off.

Sitting and enjoying the ducks swimming by.

I have so much more to learn and do.

Another thing I have discovered is about blogging. I love reading them. I am not sure why, but I find it so very interesting to read what others are doing. I don't know if it validates that I am normal or what. I have discovered that I probably like reading them more than writing one. I will NEVER be a regular blogger. I don't want to feel stressed to write a post on a certain day every week, so there will be randomness to my posts. I have also discovered that the blogs that I really enjoy reading are hard to find. They are not necessarily the ones that link up, but often I just find them on the list of blogs that others follow. I like real life. Yes, I love decorating and looking at pretty things, but I am drawn to those that just share those random things of life.

I like to blog (when I feel like it) and this blog will be my happy thoughts. All of life is not happy thoughts though. Real life is really a series of ups and downs. I have the real life moments just like anyone else. I write all of those  in a paper journal.

I really like to write and find it can be very therapeutic when you need to unload those feelings. I love a fresh notepad or notebook like you wouldn't believe. I will continue to write in my paper journal for when I really need to pour my heart out.

So, for now, I will post my things that I don't mind sharing publicly on a very irregular basis. I like looking back on the online journal at those entries. If anyone cares to read that will be fine too.

I will be back next week. I have been busy with doctors' appointments with my mom, and other stuff too. Those things that got journaled via paper and pencil if you know what I mean.

Enjoying this season of life,

Sandy