summer's end

Teachers have returned to school; tomorrow will be the first day for students. The beginning of sschool symbolizes the end of summer, yet we are just now getting some good summer weather! I am glad I am just a substitute teacher. I am not ready to return to school. I am trying to go off an anti-depressant.... I'm not sure if it was working as it should have; I'm not sure if I should go off it now....

There is so much to do - not just things that should be done like the normal household chores, but fun things - crafting things, yet I sit or read or do nothing. I have much I want to do, but the motivation isn't there.... I can just sit and look at life around me - the trees, flowers, birds, etc. Why? I don't know. Why am I even writing this?? Who cares? I guess that is why I have been so quiet here. I don't have much to share, or if I do, I don't have the follow through to do it. I haven't got any great words of wisdom or encouragement or comfort. I haven't got any deep thoughts to share.... OK, I will share this:

I have been reading Ezekiel as I try to continue reading through the Bible this year. I have been reading a lot of fiction about the Amish. I think I am drawn to the quiet, peaceful, non-materialistic, simplictic lives they lead. Two books I have recently finished are Hidden by Shelley Shepard Gray and Anathema by Colleen Coble. They both dealt with domestic abuse (not within the Amish families) too. I went shopping with a friend yesterday and we found some wonderful buys on flowers. I bought over $80-90 worth of flowers & 2 shrubs for $16.00!! Now I have some color on my front steps. On the way home we stopped to take pictures of flowers that look so pretty. Does anyone know what these are?

8/27 - Thank you Sarah for letting me know the name of these flowers..... Cleome or Spider Flower. Yeah! I'm so happy to know!!!!

Life is short - what's on your list?

Something must happen around the age of 50. First of all, I find it hard to believe that I am in my 50's. When did that happen? There have been various instances in the past couple years that have made me think about the things I hope to accomplish, the books I want to read, the places I want to go, etc. Today as I was looking at Deby's Apples of Gold blog, I found a link to Chatty Housewife's blog which led me to another link!

I was quite inspired by some of the ideas. 101 things to do in 1001 days, Identify 100 things that make you happy, Reduce your worldly possessions to 100 items - whoa, that's scary. I don't know how I'd do if I tried that. I have too many sentimental items.

I am looking forward to having some time for myself again soon. I finish one long term substituting stint in 2 days. The next one begins in late April. I will have some time to reflect on these lists and see what I can come up with.

Have you ever read the book, Jacob's List? I found it inspirational, along with the songs, "Live Like You were Dying" and "When the Sand Runs Out", both of which are on the cd "Three Wooden Crosses." All of these have made me think of making a list of what I want to do.

How about you? Have you ever made a list of things you want to accomplish? Tell me about it.