Therapeutic Thursday! How do I relax?

If you were to ask my family how I relaxed they would say, “She doesn’t know how to relax!” And this is about right! I pretty much am on go all of the time, mostly with things related to school. Kind of a boring person to some! But when I do get away from teaching, I am a sun bum! I love anything to do with being outside. Andy and I have discovered the Caribbean and just love to go there in the fall. The first year I retired we went to St. Lucia. I wanted to go in October so that I could be drinking a frozen Margarita while my friends were teaching guided reading! Sorry guys your turn will come someday! We have also been to Hawaii and to Maya Rivera in Mexico. Our children introduced us to cruises and we have enjoyed two with them and two with my sis and her hubby! The sad thing is, no vacations this year. With Andy back in school, we will be staying put in Washington DC. A different kind of vacation!

When at home, I am usually outside in the yard. I love to dig in the dirt, plant a few things….It is a good feeling to stand back and look when you have spent most of the day in the gardens. It is a great way for me to totally get my mind off of everything else.

I also love anything to do with holidays! I start decorating my house for Christmas in early November. Each room has a theme with a tree in every room. Now if you think that is a little much, I taught school for 30 years. Most of the things in my home are gifts from kids and other teacher friends from over the years. That makes it extra fun to put out and remember all those great times. This past year I gave Megan and Tyler all of the ornaments they ever made to put on their own trees. Kinda made my cry, but it was so fun to see them hang the ornaments on the trees they were starting with their new families.

But what is most therapeutic? Good friends and hanging with my family is what keeps my grounded. They keep me in check and remind me of what is really important…them! (This is my dog Katie and Megan’s dog Lily Grace. They are a tad spoiled!)