Positively Tuesday

 

     I was about to type it is the last Tuesday in May and then I caught myself. Then, I got myself again because yes, it is the final Positively Tuesday for May. I will be sorry to see May go as it was a pretty good month all things considered. While the heat has been unusual and my northern blood didn't have proper time to fully adjust, most days were filled with sunshine. the week of on again off again rain was sorely needed after so many weeks of dryness, and not only did lawns green up, all the tress (except our sad dyeing maple) are full. The thing I can mutter about are the torrential rains came just a day or two after the lilac bushes were in full bloom, and the wind decimated them. I also can mutter about the damn squirrels-one of who has burrowed down into on of my planters. Now that I have fully got the May calendar in my head, here in no particular order are my simple pleasures and positive sightings and experiences of the week. 

1. The girls and I went for a later walk by the river. My knee was acting up but I managed  probably 20 minutes walking in full, but then we also sat on a swing bench and watched the amazing sunset. The picture on this post is from my older daughter.
2. The ability to work outside on my porch or the deck a few hours each day. It doesn't really work so well when I am managing meetings and need multiple files open since I rely on multiple screens, but when I'm head down on a budget, a word document, or developing a presentation, the fresh air and feeling of being outside helps my concentration. I tune out, or rather let the sounds of kids, cars, lawn care be like white noise. 
3. Scheduling a wedding outside in Minnesota any time of year is tricky, but into the spring more so Coupled with a week of rain, and predictions of spotty thunderstorms predicted all week, both my nephews' weddings were on perfect May days. (two nephews, two weddings-not the same one twice lol).
4. I'm really not an air conditioning kind of person, but when the humidity was lingering at 90% but the rain didn't come but the temperatures were soaring,  things were getting so awful, the varnish on our wood railing was gummy. It didn't take long to run to get the inside of the house a stable temperature and dehumidify. In moderation. Central air is a simple pleasure. 
5. I used the Kohls' cash I earned from my dress purchases to buy ne dish towels that actually match my kitchen. To my new to me rule, I bought 6 new dish towels, and will purge 12-48 items, which won't be hard as I have a rag bag that can be tossed and many of my old towels can go in the rag bag. Plus, incentive to get rid of more clothes in my closet. 
6. We got a picture with my seven remaining siblings on Sunday. The last group photo we have with all of us in it was the Christmas 2012, the first one after both my parents had passed and my sisters last Christmas. 
7. It was a fallish meal, but in yet another attempt to jump start better eating, I made a massive pan of both roasted vegetables, and a separate one of roasted sweet potatoes. Now that I have a working scale again (digital one started working, but I haven't yet returned the new one I bought) I am doing daily weigh ins,. I know the fluctuation can be water, time of day, clothing etc., but those factors aside, it seems to be what motivates me-seeing numbers go down or up, to eat healthier and push for just a few more minutes of exercise. Packing the vegetables on my plate helped me feel full and satisfied. 
8. I am grateful for my Nike light weight (hell no) running  shoes as they are the best tennis shoes for my feet I have owned. Sadly, they are on their last few months I think if that, so I need to start tracking down a new pair. 
9. I had to pause between 7 and 5:15 to write this one. Today has been a beast of a day , and I am so glad to be 90% done with it, and that the major problem was resolved. A simple pleasure will b going to bed tonight not trouble shooting what needs to be resolved. 
10. Pup barking at me telling me it is time to put the computer aside and take him for a walk. Pets put things in perspective, and while I still have more to do, I'll take the break to walk him and make dinner, then get back to work. 

He's really insistent so we better go. Enjoy your Tuesday night.