Ocean Breezes

Ron and I are on a long weekend with our son and DIL. This is one last trip with them before Baby G arrives in October. We drove through heavy rains on the way down. Yesterday was a bit overcast but nicely cool by the water. A typical Florida vacation, we soaked up the rays most of the day, went to Pompano Joe's for seafood, came back to the balcony to enjoy dessert while listening to the surf.

Here we are on day 2. Ron and I were up early walking the shoreline and watching the sunrise while the other two slept in. Right this minute, I can't imagine too many better place to be than on the balcony with our coffee cups watching the sun makes it's full appearance over the horizon. Life is good. (sorry - couldn't get my photo to upload with this iPad)

Is Anybody Out There?

OK. I know people are reading my blog. For some reason, only four lovely people have signed up to be "followers" of my blog. However, since yesterday at this time, there are have been 14 visitors to my site. So I guess there are people out there who are finding something of interest in my musings.  They just prefer to be blog stalkers rather than blog followers.

"There are peole who come into our lives as welcome as a cool breeze in summer--and last about as long." Alan Christoffersen

So for those of you who are reading anonymously...thank you. Even if I never know who you are, when I see my reader count go up, it is as satisfying as a cool summer breeze.

Needs vs. Wants

As I approach my next Life Passage and have those financial worries coursing through my veins, I am constantly checking my spreadsheets to visually remind myself that our retirement incomes will be able to meet our needs. However, like most Americans, my wants far exceed my needs. Yet many of the things we continually want may give temporary pleasure, but they do not necessarily contribute to our happiness. When I stop to realize that I will be able to meet my basic needs and even be able to gather in many of the wants, I realize that in giving up some of the wants (which cause me to have to continue to work 8 hours a day), then what I will gain in return is more time and energy for those things I know will contribute to my happiness. Time for helping family, time for socializing, time for my various interests, and especially time for snuggling and playing with three special boys and the little girl soon to join us.

Time with these three and the one on the way.

More times for precious moments like these - when you turn around to find a little one has grabbed your granny glasses.

Mark always like my rhinestone-studded glasses best.

From Peter Walsh: “In life, there are limits. We can’t all climb Mt. Everest. We can’t all live in mansions with butlers and drive Rolls-Royces. We can’t all have an unlimited source of funds just as we can’t have unlimited natural resources. On planet Earth there are limitations to be had despite desires, wants, entitlements, and wishes. And despite your best efforts, limits are all around us. Some of our limits are flexible – some are absolute limits beyond which we cannot go. Pretending limits do not exist can be a serious mistake."

Shorter and Shorter

Look at this calendar! Here I am at June 1. Seven more months to go. After just 30 days, I will be down to two rows of calendars.  If you see a spot of color near the top left, that is a little graphic I have added - it's a woman daydreaming about sun and sand, chaise lounges, and cold beverages. I just need to add three little boys and one little girl to the picture.

I am now on the countdown of the last time I'll do this. I just returned to the office after attending my last "end of year" cookout with RCPS. And I made my appointment with the Teacher Retirement counselor just now. Now that makes it real!