cost - balance - and a great summer so far

When I announced that I was leaving (resigning my position) at Westhampton Chiropractic, among the responses were the ones like this, "WOW, I wish I had the financial liquidity and freedom to be able to quit my job and just live off of my bank account, without any worries." They are kidding themselves! Everything has its cost. Shawn and I had to make major adjustments in order for me to leave my job, even temporarily.

My lack of income was planned and thought through, and the benefit of striving to remember what a balanced life and balanced priorities looked like, and maybe even to get a bit of practice at living balanced, AND maybe to catch up on years of neglect, etcetra… outweighed the cost.

It has been harder than I expected to just let myself live life (with the added restraint of our income being cut by more than 1/3). And now with the debt ratio starting to rise, it is time to fully pursue my next phase of employment.

But before I do, I want to stop and say, "Wow. It has been a great summer so far."


I got to visit the Maynards who I rarely get a chance to see. Luke is a character and a cutie! He is a great boy and a fun playmate. I got to see and hang out with Anna and Pete. I got to hang out with Mama. We went to McDonalds and shopped and watched decorating shows pausing often to comment to each other. It was great. I got to stay up late talking with Papa (PawPaw). I miss them so much. Life has made it harder and harder to get up there and see them. And I really enjoyed this visit.

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I got to go and spend a night at the Goshen Boy Scout Reservation and see Friday dinner activities and Friday Campfire. It was fun. They are “go go go” up there. It was wonderful to be gladly welcomed by my son, to have him hug me and love me back. I got take a mental (and camera) snap shot of my maturing son's life. Justin and I talked way too late into the morning about lots of different things. I am so glad I got to go. It was fun, it was beautiful, and I really enjoyed the connection time with my son.

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This summer has also been a time to reconnect with Shawn. I am such a lucky and blessed woman. I have been married for almost 21 years, in good times and some really horrible times. I love this man more and more, and what is great is that I know that he loves me more and more. I love this adventure of the two of us working together on our friendship and our marriage. Working to stay connected to each other. It has not always been easy, but this summer has been filled with conversation time, just hang out time, in addition to planned outings. I will say it again I am so lucky and blessed to have a husband who loves me so very well.

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And Megan, well, she has been home a lot more than I expected this summer. That is a good thing. I am sure she will tell you how busy her summer has been, but home has been home base, and she has been around. It has been neat to watch her gracefully move into a “more fullerness” of her womanhood. {Yes I know that is awful grammar but it says it better} She is a truly beautiful woman inside first as well as outside. I am proud of her, and happy to call her my friend as well as my daughter (my baby girl, Meggy).

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Joey is coming to my house soon! The best part is that we will get to spend a day just being sisters and hanging out. I must say that hang out time with my family is one of my most treasured “possessions”, probably because in our busy world it is so rare. I think it was a secret that she was getting away to my home, so, listen up everyone don't come a calling. We will be out walking and talking. I am so soo SSOOOOO excited!!

SISTER TIME!

There were other things too. Like spending time with Granny (Shawn's grandmother), visiting Gail and Fred and Gail's mom in West Virginia, and the Pork, Peanut, and Pine Festival.

There are two more great plans for the “summer” left. The family beach trip. Beach Trips of any sorts are always more work than we expect. But I expect the work and accept it gratefully for the reward of time spent with family in a beautiful location. And there is my Anniversary Trip. A short trip to the Chesapeake Bay for the Seafood Festival is planned. (This will be a one night camping trip to BELLE ISLE STATE PARK.) We have not been there before. It should be fun.

Just recently this summer Shawn, Megan, and I have started to exercise regularly (trying for everyday so that when we miss a scheduled time it doesn’t cost us much. This helps us all feel better. And although I am not convinced I will get my younger 30ish body back, I am hopeful that I will be stronger and have more endurance and energy. OH I HOPE WE KEEP THIS UP!

This summer has had its frustrations. Dead Computer. (Thank you Pete for all the help.) This and that, that needed repair. Overtime dried up for Shawn (temporarily we hope). And so on… but over all so far it has been a great (mostly simple) summer and I will treasure it.

Not trying to rub it in anyones face... just taking a moment to soak it in and appreciate it.