Can’t breathe…

No joke – I believe this is an actual photo of pollen season in South Carolina. Everything I own outside (patio furniture, lanterns, bird feeder, etc.) is covered in this nasty yellow film and dust. I was doing great and then I decided to take a walk this morning and now the post-nasal drip and watery eyes is about to do me in. Looks like I’ll be using allergy meds this season. I guess I just stayed inside last year! LOL

Things are good otherwise. Kenzie celebrated her 19th bday on Monday. Her day started with breakfast in bed followed by opening of a few gifts. Later we shared dinner as a family at Olive Garden. Frank even found something to eat with all his allergies, so that was nice. We came home and played a little Wii Sports (bowling was fun…tennis is no joke!). It was a really nice day.

I also got to take Elsa out for a ride over the weekend. I was going to join my Harley group for a ride on Sunday but I’ve been running so much and doing so much I was just tired, so, I took a much needed break. And I enjoyed every minute of it. I took her for a short ride, and visited a friend. Just the right amount of fun for that day.

Saturday I spent with a friend. We met for brunch at Amelie’s – a french bistro-styled restaurant down in Rock Hill, SC. Darling, and oh so decadent. Seriously, best quiche ever! And, I got to introduce my friend to drinking coffee made in a french press. So so fancy. Thanks, Alana, for reminding me of this delicacy so I can pass it on to others. I had such a nice time chatting with my girlfriend. We talked about life, kids, dreams. So good to feel connected. Moving is hard — uprooting and leaving my social network was a lot harder than I expected it would be. I don’t know why I didn’t give that more thought. Not that it would have changed things. We still would have come, but I think I would have been a little better prepared. But I’m enjoying the connections I’ve made and fostering the ones that feel natural to me. Amy is one of those easy people to form connections with. She’s sweet, but sassy. Smart and funny. And I was thankful to have some much needed girl time with her over the weekend.

On another girl-note, a few friends and I were scheduled to attend the “Come to the Table” tour to see Annie Downs and Angie Smith, two Christian writers I love and adore. Unfortunately, Angie Smith’s father is terminal and in his last days so they have cancelled the tour so she can be with him and the other gals from the tour can rally around and support her. Sisterhood in action.

But with that said, there’s no reason our girl’s weekend had to be disrupted. We decided to change locations and we’re heading to Greeneville for the weekend. It’s a kitch little town, much like Boulder — except “Pearl street” is “Main Street” — otherwise, it’s a town of quaint shops and eateries. Kenzie is joining us and I can’t wait to steal away and have some much needed down time! Work has absolutely been insane lately.

On the book front — I’m plugging away — writing with a purpose is not for the faint of heart. It takes a lot of focus and direction – especially when I needed to change direction — but I’m in a groove and working on a solid proposal — which is why I have been a little less active on my blog here. It’s all good. I’m just doing what I can to keep all the balls in the air and still take care of me.