Monday catch up

Happy Monday

The first day of a new week for many of us. So how is it going so far? Did you have a good weekend? It sure was beautiful here in my neck of the woods. Just walking outside was like breathing in new life. It felt amazing being able to enjoy much of the weekend outside.

What did you all do? I’d love to hear from you. Shoot me a text, drop me a comment or message me, it makes my day hearing from you guys. I miss our interactions when life happens.

I’m so grateful this weekend was more on the calm side of things. I was busy, but I was busy more around home and my community and I really did enjoy these last couple of days. It was a nice reminder of what an amazing place I get to call home. Lake life was incredible this weekend.

Saturday was my nephews baby shower. He and his wife are expecting their little girl in April. I can’t wait to meet her. She’s gonna be just beautiful in every way. I’m sure of it. The baby shower this weekend was a couples one so of course I had John join me for that. It was so nice being able to spend the day together. The shower was at a local winery so the venue sat up on a hill top with endless views and they were stunning. It was such a laid back kinda of day. John even commented on how relaxing the shower was and how nice it was just to be with family and friends.

One thing that really stood out to me about attending the shower was two gals that I knew were there. They’ve been long time friends of some of the family. I knew them because of the time I spent captive inside the JW religion. When I saw them I wasn’t sure how to feel or react so I put on my big girl panties, said hi, gave them each a hug and let the cards play out and I’m glad I did.

When I saw these ladies I thought for sure they would be standoffish towards me and that’s my bad. I judged before giving them a chance. They both treated me so kind and loving. They accepted John and said they really liked him. One of the gals Ann said to me, “I really like him (John). He reminds me of a puppy. He’s so happy and alive. He makes me smile and he’s so welcoming and engaging. Your ex on the other hand, well, let’s just say, he was so dark and gloomy, but John is so happy.”

Just having a JW be so kind was beyond refreshing for me. I’ve had so many who I’ve known over the years treat me as though I don’t exist anymore. I’m dead to many of them, but Ann and Kimmy were so different and I appreciated that so much. I have been shunned for so long by people I’ve known most of my life and these ladies were different. They remind me of people who have a Christ like personality and they were an example of how we all should treat people, even those who believe different then us. I was humbled by their acceptance of me and of John. It was a great way to end my Saturday.

Sunday was super busy. I had my clubs annual Lucky Duck Derby. It’s a fundraiser we do every year to raise money for the Easter Carnival we put on for the families in our community. The Duck Derby is done at the community pool which is right on the lake. Yesterday the weather was perfect for the race and 10 Lucky Duck owners took home some amazing prizes.

Below are some photos of the derby: (The quality of the photos isn’t that great. Sorry)

The ducks make their way across the pool with a little help from a water hose. Ducks are pulled from the water as they hit the edge of the pool on the other side and winners are announced. Top prize took home $150. Not a bad prize at all.

After the derby a few of us went and enjoyed lunch at the Lodge. We had endless views of the lake and the food was really good. We talked about the upcoming elections for the POA. Later in the afternoon I picked up my sis and we headed to another event on the lake. Hope Lights the Night.

A friend of mine who is one of our city councilmen is on the board of Michelle’s Place which is a cancer resource center. They hosted a luminary event to celebrate life and honor those impacted by cancer. There was a live band that played at the amphitheater which is right on the lake. We enjoyed decorating bags then filling them with sand and finally placing a little light in them. All the bags were lined up and as the sky began it’s darkness, the path was lit up with all the wonderful bags people made to honor someone they lost to cancer or to give cheers to a survivor.

Below are a couple photos of the amphitheater and of course, the lake:

Events such as these are one of the many reasons I love the city I live in. Jeannie and I got to enjoy talking with our firefighters. We enjoyed decorating a bag in honor of someone. She made a bag for her mom whom she lost to cancer and I made one for my dad who was also taken by cancer. Jeannie and I got snow cones, which by the way were yummy. We talked with friends and we enjoyed the music. The event wrapped up an incredible weekend.

Today started at 5 am and I’m sure won’t end much before 9 tonight. I’m hoping that John and I can enjoy some TV time so I can finish up the last of my St. Patrick’s Day diamond art. I made little samplers for my girl tribe. I have one left to finish then I can deliver them to the girls. I can’t wait.

Even though life is busy right now I am learning to buy out the time to write, after all, it is my happy place. I had two friends that I ran into yesterday comment about my lack of writing lately. They mentioned how they miss reading my daily blog and I have had others over the last couple of weeks say the same thing to me. Even John commented on me not writing as much. He said we need to get me back to my passion for writing. I’m not sure I lost the passion, I just lost some of my will. With all the books I read and listen too my mind escapes into a place of not only hearing the story but wanting to create my own. All day my mind races and ideas circulate within my brain as to different stories I’d like to write. I can see the characters in my head and I imagine how to make them come to life for my readers, so I think my passion is still in tact. I just need to get rid of some of the distractions I have and I need to prioritize my time. I need to get out of this funk I’m in and figure out a way to immerse myself into my dreams and write. John started giving me a little boost to write by setting up my new computer yesterday.

I am excited to work on my new computer with two screens. I have my book on that computer and I’m excited to begin the new rough draft for the 5th time. I know once I begin the rewrite I’ll be unstoppable and I know once I’m finished with it a publisher will pick it up. I know it will be an amazing book and I can’t wait to cross the finish line whenever that may be. Once it’s done, I can share it with you. Not sure how many more rewrites I’ll need to do, but however many it requires will only make it that much better.

Thank you for stopping by today and I hope to chat more with you during the week. So this is my Monday catch up. I can’t wait to read your postings, however, I am extremely behind in reading my emails, so please be patient with me. I am working on getting caught up this week.

Enjoy today. Be happy during your week and please don’t forget, Love Life++ Hugs.