Month: October 2012
I began writing this post on our last day of vacation in Orlando, Florida. The day we headed home. In the midst of packing suitcases, carry ons and getting everyone and everything ready to GO, I tried to post this photo and story about my youngest son, but of course when you’re time crunched is when you’re most likely to have technical difficulties. So, I quickly saved as “draft” and decided to wait and post when I could finish a thought again. It’s now Monday morning. My husband is working, my children are at school, the happy-to-be-home-again-dog is sound asleep at my feet and the glad-we’re-home-but-mad-the-dog-is-back-too-cat is plotting from the floor above. Ah, q-u-i-e-t. Just what I needed most.
On October 26, 2012, my youngest son (age 9) woke up happy and said, “Yeah! It’s Friday! We’re not going to the parks today!” Sweet boy who is happy to be going HOME. It’s his safe spot. I packed a patterned blanket, in shades of golden brown, on his request. It’s a comfort to him. He likes the cozy, softness it offers at night – it feels like something in between fleece and velour. It was worth the luggage space I gave up to bring it along for him. He needed that extra bit of home with him this wonderful week away. A week spent under palm fronds blowing in gentle breezes and a clear blue sky above. The gray clouds and rainy moments never lasted long or dampened the fun of the trip.
We made our own fun, he and I. He was my apple this week. The crowds were a bit too much. Rides not really his thing. Especially fast, dark and loud ones. Up and at ‘em rushing to eat breakfast and catch buses didn’t feel like vacation to him. Extra desserts agreed with him just fine though! So we swam in the hotel pool nearly every day, played video games at the hotel arcade, split brownie desserts down the middle, tucked in early and watched TV or read books in the quiet of the room while his big brother and dad rode the wild rides and stayed up late, adding to the crowds. Most of my vacation pictures are of him (palm trees come in second), caught my oldest son, husband and in laws a few times too. The memories will last. The smiles too. It was a lovely vacation. ~ Janean
October 29, 2012
seasons
my heart aches
silent tears fall
like the leaves
from the trees
in autumn
October 27, 2012
shadow play
no shadows today
for the sun is hiding
please move away
clouds of gray
I want the sun
to come out and play
it’s our last day
where the palm trees are
and my shadow
wants to join me
October 25, 2012
That evil, loud, serenity stealing, leaf blowing machine appears on the left of this photo. Of course, now it’s 8:01a.m. ET and the leaves must all be banished. I can hear the fountain hitting the pool once again. Ahh. Much better than that mechanical whir. Time to take my oatmeal, doctored up with brown sugar and cinnamon, along with my coffee refill, back to the room. Last day of vacation. The rest of my family assured me at bedtime they wanted to get an early start today. I’ll find out soon…
October 25, 2012
last day of vacation
Stupid leaf blower poolside is ruining my serenity. Grrrrr
Time for more coffee and oatmeal anyway – food service started at 7:00. Saturday morning I’ll be food service again. Laundress and dog walker and cat care lady too. The break’s been nice though. Palm trees and sunshine worked their magic. Nice to have a week without too many tears. ~ Janean
October 25, 2012
I sat down poolside with coffee only, just as a hint of drizzle turned to gentle rain at 6:20a.m. Thankful for that big red umbrella and time spent sitting in the dark outside. (It was quiet until that lady sat down with her cell phone…that she’s actually talking on and not typing on like me.)
Since then I’ve moved tables. Tweeted. E-mailed. Facebooked. Have refilled my mug o’ coffee too.
Nearly moved again after loud talking cell phone user number two. Instead I couldn’t help but overhear as she said, “You can’t run away from yourself because you can’t get away from your own ass.” Well, tis true.
The sky has brightened. I should go and check on my family, and find out if they are waking up anytime soon. No hurry. That’s the beauty of vacation. The gray clouds are moving. Blue sky is tryin’ to peek through. Not sure where the day is going to take us. The To Do List just reads, “Have Fun.” Gotta love Vacation Days. Reality can wait a few days more. It’s 8:09a.m. now. Livin’ on Eastern time rather agrees with me.
~ Janean
October 24, 2012
I’m finding my mellow poolside, under palm trees and a light blue sky. Not a cloud in it either. Just right breeze and temp too for shorts and a t-shirt at 8:36am ET. Maybe the coffee has something to do with that. Oatmeal with brown sugar and cinnamon too. Snuck out while my family was sleeping. Some quiet alone time, just for me.
~ Janean
white puffy clouds
bright blue sky
palm trees too
a day made for dreamin’
though the sun
played peekaboo
sighing sighs
the happy kind
serene smiles too
unwindin’
from the inside out
vacation days
go by too soon
real world thoughts
try to intrude
not yet
go away
it’ll keep
awhile longer
today is for palm trees
even though
the soon to be bare
maples and oaks
wait for me
at home
October 22, 2012
“Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” ~ Dorothy, “The Wizard of Oz” (1939)
OR, in my case, “I have a feeling we’re not in Illinois anymore.” (And I can’t even address the comment to my big, sweet pup, Blue, because he IS in Illinois…without us.) ~ Janean
October 20, 2012
Turquoise Tangles 