Vacation Day 1

 So, I already know coming up with things to do was going to be a struggle, so I decided to start vacation Day 1 with a little structure.

I woke up around 8a and it was quite cool, so I immediately put on some mismatched socks and shoes and drove to the lake. I'd never been  and this felt as good a time as any.

I need more influences in my life!

That's just a side note.

Well I made it to the lake; it was a 10 min drive, per GPS. I easily found municipal parking by the bank. I got out of the car and crossed the street. And just walked around reading all the posted signs. There is a little swimming area and a place to launch boats and kayaks. 

Made me think to get a paddleboard. I would think they would have more rental companies like a pedal boat or rental kayaks. But the season just started, so who knows. 

What I'd hoped for was a walking trail around the lake. No dice. At least not that I saw. 

So I just walked around the patches of grass I had access to. It would be a nice place for a picnic and to read but I could also do that at my house. 

Oh, yesterday I ate outside in my little folding chair and sat outside for about 20 minutes.

Summer is so interesting for me. The heat is too uncomfortable for me to actually get out and do anything. But let's just focus on this day, shall we.

So, yes I did that. Came home and checked email and started writing this blog post.

This vacation I decided to try something different. Instead of trying to force myself to avoid my laptop and work emails, I just decided to check it periodically. 

Yesterday  I ran 2 reports and sent subsequent emails. I did. It was after 5p and I wanted to feel productive and help my boss. 

I do think I need a mental break from being on all the time, but cold turkey didn't seem like the best approach. I've just been getting jumbled up mentally - things I thought I did and didn't; clicking too fast and clicking on the wrong thing. Just overall some of my quality has declined with the sheer volume of entangled tasks to remember. 

I certainly have no desire to wash dishes, fold laundry or vacuum, so that's not even on the radar. 

What I am proud of:

- I defrosted and reheated 2 different meals that should last the majority of the week

- I made a gravy to go with one of the meals (something I've literally been avoiding for 5 months)

- 1 of the frozen meals I thought I had - I actually didn't and I didn't even cry about it. I just pivoted and decided to reheat another meal the next day. It was a little more labor because I had to defrost and portion and label and re-freeze the rest. But I did it!

- And I made a cake mix cake yesterday!

So on the food front, I should be good! I'm happy about that because arranged meals make vacation happier and I can clear out freezer. Double win! 

As you know I was playing around on MINT yesterday, so seeing my slight uptick in groceries with all this food here added a little motivation.

And overall, I'm just happy I was able to crank out the numbers from the comparison between me an my friend's 401k contributions. That was getting my panties in a bunch! So residual high about that. Math works! 

Here's how I spent most of my Saturday..

Remember I was thinking how did her low contributions end up with the same balance as mine. Her secret wasn't a phenomenal financial advisor, nope just an awesome employer match!

I was surprised how much difficulty my eyes seemed to have adjusting to sunlight when I sat outside yesterday. So today, I'm wearing some clear sunglasses indoors because I know I'll be watching TV all day and see if that does anything. 

Happy Memorial Day! I miss my aunt. I feel like everything I touch or know how to do it's because she was a part of it. I regret most of all that I didn't make her last years on earth more enjoyable. She cried out for help and I ignored it thinking it was the next person's job! I willingly let Satan win because I remember saying - God I can't do this, Satan is going to have to win this one. 

When I went to the lake today, I thought, she would've been content just to sit outside on this bench. It just took me so long to get here.