5 years ago...

5 years ago I said 'I do' and I haven't imagined my life being any better.
5 years ago he and I lived in an apt.
5 years ago we were younger and ambitious.
Since then, we have travelled around the world, and we have gained new experiences.  We've established a life together, rescued a cat, and we became a unit. 
Since then, we've bought our first home, and have completed a few renovations together. 
Since then, we have had a child, taken in another stray cat, and raised 4 kittens.
Today we celebrate our life together.  We made our commitment 5 years ago and I couldn't be happier.

It's been quite a break, but it was important.

First of all, I've missed blogging.  I've thought about it, but honestly, it's been nice taking a break.  I've had some time to focus on other projects.  I hope to blog about everything that has been going on soon.  But for now, it'll be getting back into the swing of things.  Breaks are always good from time to time.  I use blogging to help me reflect, sort out, and compartmentalize my thoughts.

Lately my thoughts have been centered around walking a marathon.  I've been trying to train for the walk, but it's been hard to actually find the hours to get walking.  I can easily do 2 miles here and there, but to find the time for 10 miles is awkward right now.  But I know it'll need to happen soon.  26.2 miles is quite the walk and I don't want to go into the walk unprepared.  For some who aren't familiar, the walk is for the Jimmy Fund in Boston.  I am walking to raise money for Neuroblastoma Research.  There was a local family who was affected by this terrible disease.  Their daughter was diagnosed at 22 months old.  16 months later she lost her battle.  Her smile, her life, and her story has affected many people.  I have committed to walk to hopefully help end this dreadful nightmare for other children who are fighting this disease or other children who may face this disease in the future. 

Taking the time to reflect on what's important has led me to this path and I look forward to marathon day.  There wasn't a moment where I questioned if I would walk or not.  My only question was: How do I sign up?  This little girl was only 3 years old when she lost her battle, but her message was clear then and even more brighter today.  No matter how tough life can be, there is no excuse but to smile and keep your head held high.  Take one step in front of the other and move forward.  It's easier to make a difference for our future than to try and turn back time. 

Daydreaming

I find myself daydreaming, more than usual.  I think 'what if' and fantasize about what could have been or what could be.  Sometimes I feel stagnant within my soul.  I'm happy on the outside, but sometimes I find myself drifting to another place.  I can't really pinpoint where that feeling comes from.  Maybe it's the change in seasons.  Warmer weather is creeping into the air and I'm getting that summer itch.  Our windows haven't really been open very long and I feel couped up.  I'm ready to wear summer skirts and strappy sandals.


I daydream of warm weather, warm grass, and super duper sunny days where the sun sends prickly heat sparks along my sunkissed skin.  I can smell the warmer weather from the ground.  The dirt is fragrant and I can smell the grass growing.  There are still no leaves on the trees, but there are blossoms blooming on other trees.  And if I was blind, the birds, crickets, and bull frogs would let me know that the seasons are changing.  Spring is in the air and summer cannot get here fast enough.
 
I've taken some time away from blogging.  Not because I don't have anything to say, but because I've taken the time to reflect.  To daydream. 
 
I've been reading books a lot more and I'm finding my daydreams have been catapulted into these books.  The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.  If you haven't read them, well, all I can say to that is, why haven't you?  They are light, easy, quick reads.  I am reading them 1 book a week.  It's honestly, very entertaining, in the fictional sort of way.
 
After reading three Stephanie Plum stories, I'm taking a quick break to read The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  The Help is a very different story from the Plum series, but as equally entertaining, and I cannot get enough.  I'm finding myself constantly thinking about the book I'm reading, plus many more that I want to sink my eyes into.  I cannot read fast enough.  It's sort of horrifying at how hungry I am for it. 
 
I like to daydream at the library.  I take my lunch break from my other full time job, the one that gives me a paycheck, and I like to get lost in my library.  I wander the shelves and scan the titles, the authors, the covers.  I look for something to jump out at me.  I look for something that will transport me to another place, another time.  Fiction or non-fiction, it doesn't matter to me.  I usually read memoirs, those are my favorite reads.  But lately I find myself looking on any shelf.  Eleanor Roosevelt's Biography or Frommer's Disney World with Kids? 
 
I cannot wait to daydream.  I'm finding myself looking for time to daydream, and how long can I get away with daydreaming without it disrupting my actual life?  I enjoy my real-time life, but this daydreaming business has become just that:  business or hobby.  Would I be able to write that on my resume?  Avid daydreamer.
What do you daydream about?  And do you look for different ways to daydream too?