Just Keep Swimming

Sometimes, life can be overwhelming. 

Sometimes, in the midst of paychecks with a days worth of work gone to taxes, tests that serve no purpose but to waste time, dogs that are so bored that they decide to make a chew toy out of your girly tool box contents, and cars that just don't start right, you think to yourself: "When are the good old days going to begin?" 

Sometimes life just gets to you.  You work harder than you should, yet find yourself going around in circles.

Sometimes....you just have to suck it up and try to absorb all of the goodness around you.   



Like:

Monday afternoon dates.    K and I are frequently working opposite shifts during the weekend.  You know, the time when everyone else gets to sleep in, and cuddle, and have a fun couple of days? That's when we're stuck at work.  Yesterday, however, we had the whole day off and we relished in it.  Sleeping in, eating lunch around 2 in an empty restaurant while everyone ELSE was working.  An afternoon movie that we only paid 7 bucks for because K knew the guy behind the counter and he just charged us for a senior ticket.  Dollar candy and a free soda because we use to go to movies a lot more and had a rewards card.  Yes, it was a very good afternoon date indeed. 

Videogames. When we were in Seattle in June, we spent a good chunk of our time watching my brother continuously die in a videogame.  He'd log in, choose his level, and then die.  Regenerate, jump around in the game, and die.  Die a miserable, embarassing death each and everytime.  Jump, run out into an open marketplace, fiddle around on a roof-top totally exposed, and die.  It was sad.  So, we watched this over and over again, and I think I even asked to play once.  Which he responded,  "It's too hard.".  Oh yeah? Well, we got that game a couple weeks ago and we're awesome.  We crouch, we work together, we strategize, we lay low.  So there.  And, that's basically how we've spent time together anymore.  What can I say? That's what you get after 4.5 years together. 

Dog parks.  Lilly has not seen the dog park since her towel-eating-incident back in October.  Mainly because I didn't trust her immune system, but also because she was shaved like a reverse cow and I didn't want to seem like a bad puppy parent.  Lastnight, I took both dogs to the park, expecting them to be overjoyed and therefore running like crazy dogs.  No such luck.  They simply sniffed, and peed, and drank water.  Occassionally, I'd try to get them running with me, and all that got me was a juicy slobber from Lilly on less than ideal areas on my shorts. 

Storms. Mmmmmm Pennsylvania, there's a lot I don't approve of here, but storms are not it.  I love me some storms.  This weekend we had a friend over, and were just all layin around in the basement when Tropical Storm/Hurricane Badass started up.  The wind blew, the sky turned an evil gray, the rain went sideways, the Lilly dog didn't notice a damn thing, and for a second there, we weren't sure if we were about to watch trees fall down.  It was fantastic.  Sure, I had to re-stake some tomatoes, but it was a small sacrafice.

Tomatoes and Onions.  And basil.  That's what I can grow.  Everything is starting to turn into real food.  The tomato plants are producing fruits of all size and shape.  The onions are big enough to showcase in turkey burgers and salads.  The basil is out of control (and I love it that way).  Zucchini and squash blossoms are all over the place.  It is summer. 

Recommittment.  After my last post, I realized that I was feeling pretty good lately, and so I should probably focus on feeling good in every which way.  So, I bought a new journal to record my habits in, because that's the only way that I've been able to produce change in the past.  I set some goals, like recording everything I eat, taking vitamins, and walking the dog daily.  Yes, I know that sounds awful, but its been so friggin hot lately that daily walks have just not happened.  Still, the dog can only get so much exercise running in the basement.  The other day, I improvised:

Viola!  Bandana.  Keeps the sun off your neck.  Didn't really work, but its cute. 


Tomorrow.  Because, tomorrow can always better.  You can wake up earlier, eat better, walk faster, and start over.  So, for all of those "when is life going to suck a little less" and "I'm tired of being an adult" days, here's to tomorrow.



Goodnight.