I should.

I recently had a conversation with a good friend of mine about the need to take a break.

Let's back up.
I remember when I used to say I needed a break when I was younger (20s). Back then,  the reality was, that I slept in until late on the weekends, binge watched hours of Real World (and whatever else was on Mtv), and rarely cooked for myself.  I had a lot of time.

Now in my 40s, with a husband and 2 kids, I need a freaking break.
But I don't make an effort to take one when I need one.

Aren't we all better when we have taken care of ourselves?  

Who is the invisible person MAKING us keep going?

Are we creating "busy"?

Ok, yes.  I have to feed my kids and watch them.  And I like a clean house.   However, just like anything that is important, you have to make time for these restorative breaks.  I was practicing piano last week, on the only day I CHOSE to take the time.  And it felt like a gift.  It was a reminder to make that time for me, to remember who I am, to center.

The things that I like to do to feel rejuvenated are these:
-get on pinterest
-make a craft, scrapbook. sew, etc etc etc
-have a cup of joe, declare "Mommy's having her coffee!  Please give me 20 minutes to finish my cup of coffee!"  (And the kids KNOW.)
-update my planner (with stickers and washi and pens)
-play a Bigfish game on my computer
-read
-read a magazine
-listen to music

I'd love to hear what you do.  I want to hear as a reminder to yourself to take that break, and a reminder to myself to do the same.

Vacation Vacation Vacation

We have been gone off and on for the entire month of July.  It has been fun, but oh-so-busy!
I have finally figured out why the whole "Michigan Up North" thing is a thing.  To be honest, I didn't get it when I went to Lake Michigan.  It was cold.  There were a ton of rocks.  I had just moved from Virginia Beach/Norfolk, so "the beach" there was much better.

But a week later, we met up with Paul's brother and went to Houghton Lake in the middle of Michigan at a cabin.  It was gorgeous.  The water was lovely, and we slept in a room on the second with a deck overlooking the lake.  (We left the sliding door open all night and fell asleep to the sound of waves!)  And no sharks to watch out for.   We didn't have time for a bonfire, but I could envision it.  The evening was cool and relaxing, and the sunset was gorgeous.

A week later, we headed up to Mackinac Island.  Again, it was so nice to be near the water, and though I am usually not into history, I loved learning about the past having to do with this place.  I started reading a Teen Fiction book set in the area and back around the war of 1812, and I couldn't put it down.  (There are three books in the series and #2 is set in London!)

Now we are home.  And I cancelled all events.  No camps, no playdates, nothing scheduled.  

The kids and I really needed it, and we are enjoying our last bit of freedom before the school year starts.  Today we went on a long walk, going where the wind took us.  (That turned out to be a convenience store for treats, and then on to their school to check out the new playground equipment, stopping by a neighbors on the way home.)  We collected acorns for a project and picked up sticks along the way, like an old school summer.  By evening here in Mid-Michigan, the winds have turned cool, and we can feel fall right around the corner.  I even had to pull out my very cozy, pink fuzzy bathrobe, which I thought I wouldn't need for at least another month.  Enjoy the end of summer, folks.