I wrote myself a little note

Day 6 of single parenting. Sometimes I just need to remind myself.

over and back

Carl has been gone on a golf trip in Montana. I decided to throw the kids in the car and drive over to hang with my family in Olympia. The timing was perfect because it turned out to be the nicest day of the year so far.

The marina was gorgeous.

We walked the boardwalk with my Dad.

And saw some kissing.

The Farmer's Market was buzzing!

We cooled off in the downtown fountain.

Then it was back to the house for a family BBQ.

(my Grandma, me, and my step-mom Sandy)

(My brother and me. Can you tell who lives on the sunnier side of the mountains?)

(My sister-in-law Marsha and the twins Lily and Eva)

Oh Ian. As the only grandson among 6 granddaughters, I guess you do have to be a little goofy.

Dinner is served.

Uncle Alex got a workout.

Ian found his own special way of going in and out. It suits him because he is kind of a puppy.

It's always an adventure traveling with 4 kids by yourself... but as far as spur-of-the-moment road trips go- this little "over and back" was perfect!!

everything else...

There is a lot floating around in my mind. I am a notorius over-thinker. Sometimes it gets so jumbled that it is hard to separate thought from thought. It's like rapid fire, one after the other. But when I ride (or run, or swim, or hike, or row...you get the picture) it all stops.

Total standstill.

The exertion necessitates that my whole self (mind included- there is no division) becomes devoted to: 

muscles under flesh, flexing, rising up, pulling away from bone

lungs and breath

sweat and salt on my skin

cadence, rhythm, pace, and time

pedaling, pounding, pulling, pushing

going further, faster

burning

building strength- inside and out

Exercise: it's just so vital to me. It's more like a rest actually. Everything else just fades away.