Gettin' by

As I was driving back from dropping Leah off at school a few mornings ago, I got stopped beside the construction workers who were preparing to work on the road.  I sat and watched them for awhile before the light turned green.  Old, young, middle aged, all with smiles on their faces.  It occurred to me that, no matter what any of us do for a living, we are all working for the same goal, to just get by and see another day.  Whether you are a teacher, a preacher, a construction worker, fast food worker, or a parent, we are all ultimately striving for the same thing.

Life can be tough, there are plenty of twists and turns and ups and downs.  There are a lot of heartaches and things that touch your heart.  Life is not guaranteed.  I was thinking, this morning, that life would be so much better if everyone just chose to be kind.  Let go of the bitterness, let go of the drama, let go of the hate, let go of all of it and just live!

I know I am not the best parent, I try, but fail often.  I am impatient, I yell, I get frustrated.  I know I am not the best friend, either.  I have friends that I haven't talked to in a long time and I miss them.  I have friends that I love so dearly, and I never want to let them down, but I am sure I do.  With every role I have:  mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, I could do better.  Everyone has their moments, but I need to start focusing on the bigger picture and stop letting the small things bring me down.  Everyone has their own struggles, everyone has battles within themselves.  I am terribly insecure, but I am trying to work on it.  It is hard sometimes, but I don't want to be limited by myself.  I just wonder how much more positive the world would be if everyone could let go of their fears and  insecurities that are holding them back.

There is really no point to this blog.  Just some random, rambling thoughts that were on my mind.  Maybe, also, a reminder for myself to choose kindness, let go of the issues that hold me back, and be thankful that I have another day to work on those things.

Pool passes, pirate boat, and a puppy

Summer Break is OVER and that makes me so terribly sad. If that saying "time flies when you're having fun" is true, then we must have had the most amazing and fun summer ever! As I dropped the kids off for their first day of school, I thought to myself, "weren't we JUST doing this a few days ago?"

Summer Break was a fun one for the Johnston's.  We had many adventures, ranging from ice cream picnics out back to vacationing in Florida.  We normally frequent Paradise Cove water park a few times a summer, but this year, I thought, "Shoot, we are gonna get some season passes and stay at the pool ALL SUMMER."  So, I fork out the $$$ (which means I charged it) and - just like that - we were season pass holders.  Then, it proceeded to rain, and rain, and rain...That darn Mother Nature...

Vacation was good this year, back to the same ole condo at the same ole Florida.  What can I say?  We are creatures of habit and stick with what we know.  We splashed around in the ocean (which means the family splashed around while I cautiously scanned the area for potential life threatening creatures).  Only thing that we spotted were some fish and mole crabs (AKA baby sea turtles...long story).  The pirate boat cruise was a little disappointing this year. 

1) the cute pirate captain from last year had been replaced by a "not as cute" pirate captain **tear**

2) due to the tropical storm that had been out in the sea, the water in the Gulf was very murky and we couldn't see any ocean life as we sailed along

3) well, I don't have a #3, so we will just leave it with the uncute pirate captain and murky waters

Leah drove a go-kart for the first time, while we were in Florida, and I think she is hooked.  Makes me fearful to think that she could be driving a "for real" car in 4 years.  (Geez, I am getting old)

We ate at new places which, for anyone who knows me, is HUGE.  I am, as referred to before, a creature of habit.  When I go to a restaurant, I get the same thing every time because it is what I know.  New places scare me a little bit.  However, I put on my big girl undies (size large as a matter of fact) and tried new places.  I must say, I was not let down.  Maybe I should try to be more adventurous all the time.  **SHUDDER**

One of the highlights for me, this summer, was going to the ONE DIRECTION concert with Leah.  If y'all know my child, you know she lives, breathes, and dreams One Direction.  Brad got her tickets on Father's Day and I went with her.  It was amazing and such a wonderful thing to see her so excited.  Anytime we hear them or see them on TV now, we always say "We saw them with our naked eyes."  It was loads of fun and I am so glad she got to go!  

This summer, we also got a new family member, Gemma Grace the doberman.  She truly is the sweetest girl and is quickly becoming a very dear member of our family.  She keeps us laughing and fussing every day.  The other animals have "adjusted" to her decent (which means they try to avoid her).  What an adventure we are having with her!  

Sadly, we also lost a family member, Jasmine the Guinea Pig.  I held her as she took her last breath and we miss her and her squeakiness.  We had her for 6 years.  RIP Jazzy.

That about sums up the summer adventures, I reckon.   

Here are some random summer pics for your viewing pleasure...

The Story of a Shoe

My dearly, beloved Nikes had some issues awhile back.  A floppy sole.  I had every intention of hot gluing it back on, but never got around to it.  One day, while walking the dogs in the back yard, it was damaged beyond any hope of repair.  I know that I might be strange, well, we have all established that I'm strange already, but I get sad when I have to buy new shoes.  I like my old shoes.  Sometimes, I think about my shoes and the stories they could tell if they could.  

My Nike shoes were good, they fit, they were comfy, they went many places.  My Nike shoes carried me through Washington, D.C.  Through the streets where I am sure many famous people have walked.  My shoes took me in the US Capitol, and hurried me to the bathroom while we were in there and I had severe intestinal distress!  They walked me in front of the White House and through Arlington Cemetery.  They stood on the stairs while we watched the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of  Unknown Soldier.  They walked me up to the Washington Monument, through the Library of Congress, and past the Supreme Court.

My kids at the WWII Memorial - we loved this memorial since my Grandad is a WWII veteran

My shoes also got me through Destin, Florida...along with my trusty flip flops :)  We had some great family times on vacation.  We went on a pirate cruise and saw dolphins, went to a zoo where Brad got in trouble for picking up a bird named Silver.  We ate a lot and laughed a lot.  

I also think about my shoes and how many times they have walked me into my Grandad's house for a visit.  I loved growing up in his house, all the good times, the laughs, and jokes that have been told in that house.  Grandad and Granny's house was a one room school house "way back in the day."  I think about the kids that ran around that house, just like we used to when we were kids, and like my kids today do. All the times we slid down the hill on a card board box. My shoes carry me to the places that make me remember the good times.  Although my Granny is gone, going in that house is still one of my favorite things, because I know that my Grandad's smiling face will be waiting for me!  

Before I toss my worn shoes into the trash, I wanted to give them one last shout out by doing this blog.  My Nikes were good to me and we made lots of memories together.  I am looking forward to making new memories and going new places with my new shoes!

Goodbye to my grey and pink Nike's - we had good times together!