Relax.

Checked off "relaxing" from the list by hitting up the Hermitage Museum's Sunsets on the River. If you haven't been, it's a Summer must. Good music, tasty beverages, delicious food.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to see my 92 To-Do's for this Summer - and to see the brave souls tackling their own lists!

Self Portrait: August

One of my best friends sent me this article earlier this month. We hadn't chatted (via the phone or gchat video) in nearly two months because our lives were just "crazy busy." Go read this article. Please, I insist. I'll wait.

READ IT.

Welcome back. Pretty awesome, right? I rarely read. Anything. But, I read this article start to finish (go ahead, give me a gold star, Adrienne). I found so many truths in this article. I was in that latchkey generation (as a morning attendee) and spent an equal amount time after school, outside in the woods finding the edge of the earth, or wetting my pants on the softball field. That is not something I modeled my idea of adulthood after (especially the latter), seeing that I perused a career in 'journalism graphics.' However, it definitely set the stage for the creative, inspiring, can't-sit-still type of job, I would eventually want.

After reading that article, I started paying close attention to my reaction to "How are you?", and others reaction as well. Busy literally the only thing people said. I was bound and determined not to give this answer, but found myself just dancing around the fact that I was crazy busy. Yes, it actually is all taken on voluntarily, my ambition or drive to learn or my addiction to 'busyness,' as Kreider states. And he's right, for what am I so very busy for? So people look at my blog? Repin my latest furniture how-to? Retweets, Facebook likes or networking opportunities? What does any of that actually matter?

So this month I tried to remain unbusy. Not take on any [more] obligations. Tell people 'no thanks,' with no further explanation. React with "I'm doing great", and leave it at that. It was not well received. I tried to relax on the couch a couple nights with Mike, and my legs twitched as if they need to be released of the "idle demon" living within them. So I took a step away and looked at the big picture.

Yes, I'm busy. And yes, it's all self-inflicted. But I love it. I'm becoming a part of this amazing city I call home. I'm trying my best to make a difference with serving as different roles in community organizations. I'm meeting fresh faces who are vibrant, supporting and loving people, by designing wedding invitations, flyers, logos, making handmade crafts, taking pictures and drinking! So what is the point to all of this, you ask? I've realized my role is to be who I am. I know I'm a little quirky and I have my faults,. I'm loyal and hope that others are to me. I love my family and friends incessantly, and can't get enough of them. I absolutely do not know how to relax. And, I just hope to make a tiny little difference, somehow.

I walked out of work today, got in my car and set my bags down. I turned down the music and took a deep breath. It's the minutes of serenity this that make it all okay. The one time Mike and I had a picnic at the beach and I refused to go running because I wanted to sit and watch the Ocean. And like this entire afternoon at The Hermitage (below) that balance out my life. Life is too short not to be busy.

P.S. If you made it through all of this reading, you deserve TWO gold stars. See me after class :)

Monday Musebles

This weekend was one of the best I've had in a long, long time. It was a well-rounded, well-rested, well-spent two-day break that I would wish for every weekend. Friday night we volunteered for Downtown Norfolk's First Fridays, by pouring beer. We had drinks with friends afterward and I accidentally stumbled upon some out-of-town friends celebrating their wedding eve (best accident ever!). Saturday I spent the morning finishing up our new buffet and hutch (pictures to come soon), meeting the lovely Lisa of Norfolk Fair Trade and the talented Robyn of Earth Studios. Saturday night we celebrated AltDaily's 5-Year Anniversary at 80/20 Burger Bar and Sunday we made our way to the Food Trucks Fostering Change event at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens.

I had never been to The Hermitage but have heard and seen so many good things, so I was really looking forward to this free day. With rain in the forecast I had my doubts about spending a whole lot of time exploring, but the grey clouds cleared way and made for the perfect afternoon. The Hermitage was the home of William and Florence Sloane, who moved to Norfolk in 1893. He was the superintendent and part-owner of the Berkeley Knitting Mill and she designed the home and mothered their two children. She was an avid art collector, which eventually led to her founding what is now the Chrysler Museum of Art.

The home began as a simple five-room summer cottage, but in almost 30 years turned into a 42-room mansion. Mrs. Sloane always intended for her home to be a museum, and is it ever! There are more than 5,000 objects, which represents 30 countries and the collection spans 5,000 years of art history. Many pieces were of the Asian influence, which was particularly interesting to me.

See those painted toes? First time all Summer! #73 on the List.

Mike and I walked through the home in awe of every ornate detail and the age of some of the artifacts. We headed outside to where the food truck court, music and art tents were set up. He tried Malbon's BBQ for the first time and raved about it the rest of the day (this is good to know because they frequent Smartmouth Brewery, which is close to our house), and I had a Neptuna taco from Bros Fish Tacos - also delicious!

We ventured through the some of the land, which include a water tower, a gardener's cottage, a rose garden, a garden of mill stones, walking paths and scenic views of the Lafayette River. So, so pretty! I think I even heard a mutter of "we could get married here..." from my other half ;)

#15: Hermitage Museum & Gardens and #85: Photo Story are off the list!

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Read about it here.