a music and nature-filled weekend

What a busy, fun-filled weekend! This is what summer is all about ~ spending

time with friends and family, especially if it involves being outdoors.

Though you'll notice in the photo below that everyone is dressed as if it were 

October. That's what the weather certainly felt like this weekend! Even though we
 were wearing hoodies, we were still cold and wishing we had blankets to wrap around
us. Crazy weather for July. So, this is me and my friend, Cindy on Friday night at an
 outdoor concert that was a benefit for cancer. Photography note: never lean away
 from a camera while having your picture taken or it will look like you weigh 500 lbs.

Sunday morning I was still in my pajamas, sipping coffee and reading the Tribune,

when my aunt called and asked if I'd like to go on a hike with her at Volo Bog.

You betcha! Seize the day!

This beautiful nature preserve is only a 10 minute drive from my house and yet

I haven't been there in many years. I had forgotten what a beautiful area it is

for taking in all the sights and sounds of Mother Nature in such a peaceful setting.

I hope you don't mind this post being more photo-heavy than wordy. I believe these

photos speak for themselves. I took a ton of pictures; these are just a few of my faves.

Definitely no words needed for this one. :-)

What'd you do this weekend?

morning walk and news

I am so grateful that I now have the time for morning walks.

That I live in an area where there's still some open land.

This is conservation area just a stone's throw from my house ~

right off a road that gets a decent flow of traffic.

Walking gives you time to appreciate all the beauty that surrounds us ~

and clears your mind.

You see ~ almost two weeks ago, I finally left my job.

Yes, voluntarily. In today's scarce job market.

Some of you know that I worked three days/week in a government office.

I had been there for 6-1/2 years.

However, the stress of this job was making me sick ~

physically and mentally.

I had chronic migraines, IBS, and quite often was irritable,

exhausted, anxious, and lashed out at loved ones.

I had been talking about leaving this job for at least two years!

But it finally got to the point where I had to do something,

or I was going to break. The husband and I had a serious talk

about finances and decided that we'd probably be OK.

After all, we live pretty frugally.  There are some expenses

we've cut, and I'll talk about those at another time, in a new post.

 It is amazing how much better I feel already. I've only had one headache

since I've left my job (and that was from eating too much chocolate!)

and the IBS symptoms from stress and anxiety have nearly cleared.

I feel rested, at peace, have time to visit friends and family that I 

didn't get to see often, and time to work on projects around the house.

Oh ~

 and another good thing about living where there are still farmer's fields?

Free cornstalks and cat tails!

Good thing I didn't get shot by Farmer McGregor. ;-)