I completely missed May because we were having the most amazing time while also being out of cell signal and without wifi access. When we got back a few days into June, life was a flurry of laundry, grocery shopping, and end-of-year homeschool evaluations. So consider this the best of May and June.
Loving
Celebrating! We took a big trip for twelve days at the end of May (and the beginning of June) for our 20th wedding anniversary. We took a cruise to Alaska and it was amazing!
From the leisurely meals to the beautiful scenery, it was a wonderful adventure while being simultaneously relaxing.
Reading
While we were away I continued my plunge through the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma Jones and Lady Darby book series through a combination of paper and e-books. I think I read about five books total on our trip. Once we got back I started reading the Blackstone Legacy Trilogy from Elizabeth Camden since they were finally available as e-books from my local libary. While I did like them, I also found they produced some anxiety, I think because of the frequent references to organized crime and corporate/political corruption. While I know these are probably part of everyday life now (not just in the Gilded Age the books are set in), I guess I’m usually insulated from these things. The idea of someone having that kind of power to destroy someone’s life and livelihood was surprisingly distressing. While I enjoyed them, I was also glad when I was done.
Learning
For me to relax I need to not have to be the decision maker. That’s why our cruise vacation worked so well for us. The only decision was looking at a restaurant menu and there were just enough choices for me to find something I liked and not so many that I got overwhelmed. Because everything was included I wasn’t doing the math on whether we were spending too much on meals either.
I wish my life could be more like this. Obviously, I can’t live at the level of relaxation that I experienced on a 12-day vacation but I wish there were ways to reduce my constant decision fatigue and feel like if I take a nap the world will fall apart.
I’m learning that while I enjoy being busy if I don’t have margin built in, I’ll work myself over the edge. I’m trying to build boundaries into my life and work that encourage me to do the things I care about but also let me rest from being constantly on call at all times.
Eating
Eating on the cruise was amazing. There was steak, lots of steak, and dessert every night (sometimes at lunch too), and the luxury of pots of coffee and tea served at each meal if I wanted them. I wouldn’t want to live like that all the time, but it was fun for a few weeks. Now I’m trying to adjust to eating in everyday life amidst lots of holidays and birthdays so it hasn’t been easy. I don’t do well when I try to follow too strict or detailed an eating plan so I’m trying to focus on increasing my protein and my veggie intake and leave it at that for now. Plus I’m getting back into my exercise groove as soon as possible.
Well if May was crazy June went by in a blink and now it’s nearly July and I’m trying to quickly grab summer before it’s August and we’re back to school!
Bethany – an anniversary, a cruise, Alaska … and meals someone else creates and cleans up after!
Bliss.
No having to cook or clean up may have been my favorite part! 😉
Everything about the cruise sounds wonderful – one of my dream vacations is an Alaskan cruise. The Blackstone books have been on my want-to-read list for quite awhile, so it was interesting to hear your take on them. Hope the rest of your summer is fabulous!
Bethany, your cruise sounds amazing! My husband and I enjoyed a cruise for our 25th wedding anniversary to the South of France about 10 years ago. You are so right, no decisions, plenty of relaxation, and oh the food….or at least not cooking!!
Happy belated anniversary! Sounds like you had an amazing trip to celebrate. Yes, I like when I don’t have to make all the decisions as well. Hope your July is fabulous.
Wow Bethany, What a wonderful cruise, Alaska how amazing.
Visiting today from Share Four Somethings.
PS: Happy 20th Wedding Anniversary! xo
I would love to take an Alaskan cruise. It sounds so wonderful!
Sounds like a fabulous trip and I am glad you got to take it and enjoy it!! I only read the first book in The Blackstone Legacy series, I really didn’t enjoy it. It stressed me (as did another book of hers from another series), I just think they are too heavy for me. I need to build in some margin to rest/refresh as well. I started back with my exercise routine this morning, and hope to be regular. Happy Independence Day!