early stress

My weekend was productive, full and cheerful. I graded papers, met the Chief at the new Italian restaurant, and met a friend for drinks. Saturday I sipped coffee and read, ran then went to get my hair cut. But, my stylist didn't cut it. He proved to me that I don't have split ends. He educated me on how to moisturize my hair (it's a six week project friends). He spent 30 minutes with me and I didn't pay him anything. He's a good guy. It's going to be July before I can pull my hair back into a ponytail.

I then went over to my sewing instructor and worked on my gray slacks and blue shorts. They're good stuff; they're chic, comfortable and versatile. She'd finished up my vest (she did the buttons and button holes). I brought over some girl scout cookies that I thought would taste good with milk and would make a good snack during a break. However, when I brought them in she said, "Thank you. You shouldn't have." Not even I had the chutzpah to say, "Don't worry, I didn't." She saved me some calories. I came home and read and worked on some lessons for next week. It was productive down time. I've haven't gotten much time to myself this year.

The Chief came home from her style excursion with fabulous hair, cute shoes and early birthday presents for me. I really like the clothes for me, which is rare. One time she picked out these skirts for me; they had ruffles. I don't do ruffles. She did really well gaging my taste. It's mostly minimalist.. or should I say tacky minimalist. I'm not sure how I'd describe my style. But, there were two pieces that she said, "You are NOT to wear this to school. You need to reserve some clothes for you."

I did a lot of thinking... about my future... about big, abstract ideas that I don't have the time to ponder while I scurry through my week one activity at a time. Today's sermon was a reminder that transformation is a slow process.

Somehow this weekend proved confidence inspiring. Something about the warm, cheery weather that made me want to fly a kite. My hairdresser's, sewing instructor's and mom's generosity. The big thoughts (more accurately-- the big questions) breathed hope and optimism into the lens I view the world. This teaching gig, this living circumstance is a point of my life rather than the culmination of it. There's more to come.

In fact, I've started planning my 30th Birthday Party! It's going to be an outdoor, multi-generational celebration of all the people in this part of the world that I love. I'm thinking we'll have a picnic at the Whitewater Center and do the climbing wall, zipline, rafting, mountain biking, cards, frisbee. It'll be fun!

Next week is full. This weekend was full. I was really busy in high school-- 14 hours a day busy-- but somehow I find this season of my life more chaotic. I've developed a fairly routine schedule, but there's so much work to be done.