52 Ways to Joy - Just Say NO

Not all of us are lucky enough to spend our summers with no obligations. While I would love to have a daily appointment with my lounge chair next to a sparkling pool, a cool drink in my hand and my favorite book...it's nothing more than a dream around here.

The kids are off while the hubby and I toil away at our desks, because, well their "free" time is filled with numerous activities that certainly aren't "free!"

The summer has only just begun and already I'm stressed.

Let's go here.

Let's do this.

Work just doesn't disappear when the sun shines, bills don't take a holiday and I'm being pulled in a hundred directions.

What's going to bring me joy over the next two months? I'm going to have to figure out a way to say NO to something.

Even if it's just one appointment, one extra job, or *gasp* one activity or carpool a week.

I know it's hard. We've been trained to say yes...we've been trained to give and give and then crawl into bed at night wondering where the day went.

This week I plan to take back my summer vacation - even if it's not a vacation, even if I still have work and deadlines, I plan to say NO to one thing that gives me stress I don't need or want!

What about you? How can you re-claim your summer vacation...what can you say NO to this week? I think I'm going to say NO to making dinner and order a pizza :)

52 Ways to Joy - Feet in the...

Today it's up to you to fill in the blank. Toes in the...what? In the fresh cut grass? In the sand at the beach? In the pool?

As the summer season kicks off it's easy to get caught up in the big things. The kids have their finals, the nicer days will be calling to us through the office windows - it's easy to get stressed wishing we could enjoy the lazy summer days like when we were kids.

Today I propose that one of the quickest ways to bring just a few moments of joy to your life this summer is to everyday stick your toes somewhere that makes you happy.

Walk barefoot through the yard, dangle them in a pool, prop them up on a coffee table after a long day at work.






Paint your toenails something bright and fun, soak your feet and give them a nice massage - don't you owe it to the one of the hardest working parts of your body to give those toes (and heels) a little TLC?

Sometimes a little bit of joy has to start from the ground up!

This week, take a few minutes for yourself and put your toes in something that brings a smile to your face - because you really do deserve it!

As always, I wish you joy as you travel through life!

This year I finally have tomatoes!

For the first time in years...I have tomatoes!

Yes, these little beauties are growing in a pot on my patio and I haven't killed them yet. (Unlike the flowers pots that are flanking my front door which seem to have become an evening buffet for the local rabbits.)

What's even more amazing is the fact that I grew these tomato plants from SEEDS. I started them inside in a little "greenhouse" like container and then replanted them into the larger pot once the weather was right.

I had two different types of plants, forgot to label them in the greenhouse (I know, I can't believe it either *wink*) so I have no idea which plants actually took - it looks like they're going to be cherry tomatoes though since they're are a TON of them very close together.

The new trick this year (thanks to the engineer husband) was to move the pots off the ground and out of the reach of those pesky snails and rabbits! He put the pot on a table and moved it out to a sunny spot in the yard. I think I'll have to give him credit for the harvest.

If I get enough ripe tomatoes for one salad, I'm going to consider this a rousing success!

How about you? Plant a garden or a container garden? What's your secret to success?
(Besides watering, which seems to be my biggest problem - hey, I'd forget to feed my family too if they didn't remind me!)

Friday Five - Summer Treats and Writing

Today I'm blogging over at the Passionate Critters Blog.

Come on by and share your thoughts on summer treats and writing...what keeps your muse inspired when the weather is warm?

http://passionatecritters.blogspot.com/2012/07/friday-five-summer-treats-and-writing.html

Have a great weekend!