Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Flowers and a Free Day

How is everyone today?  I am having a lovely day.  I had the day off work!  Now we know my job isn't overly stressful, but it is having to be at a certain place, at a certain time, with a plan for therapy and with a happy face that can become tiresome.  I also drive a LOT to get to and from work and I drive in a LOT of traffic, I swear just not driving as much today has lifted my spirits. 

When I was at work on Thursday I was chatting with the Medical Foster Mother I work with and she was telling me her family was taking her out to breakfast for Mother's Day.  She is in her late sixties and has been a Medical Foster Mother for 37 years, I worked with her and her children years ago before Mr. 19 year old was born.  Now I go to her house every Tuesday and Thursday morning to see the children in her care.  So I had an idea, I would go to work and be with her little ones on Sunday and she could go out to breakfast without having to worry about them.  I am already approved to be a respite worker so there was nothing to do but for her to say, yes.  She thought about it maybe 5 seconds and thought it was a great idea.  I had a great time with the boys, we got all their therapy in and she got to go out to a nice, leisure breakfast.  So today I had off.  Hooray for me.


She bought this beautiful plant for me for Mother's Day.  How nice was that? 

So today I got up at the crack of Dawn to get my son up, I made some tea, I exercised, read blogs at a leisurely pace and went out to breakfast with a friend I haven't seen in months.


I picked up my son at school and didn't have to rush to get there.  I came home cleaned, and cleaned without feeling rushed.  Even some of my outdoor furniture got a good bath with mold and mildew cleaner.

 

 I walked around watering my flowers.  This bougainvillea was recently re-potted. It looks beautiful with the gardenia's behind it.


 I watered the newly planted plants in the garden hoping there was not much damage from the deer.  They think my house has the best appetizers in the area.


 I took a few minutes to enjoy my view.  A view of trees and sunlight.  The back of my house butts up to a swamp preserve area, it isn't very wide,  as sometimes I can hear people from the next subdivision over, but it is my little area of paradise.


My African Flower bag is on hold, I had to order a bit more yarn to finish it off.


The blue Malabrigio sweater has come out of the Feel Good Basket for a bit.  I have completed the bottom portion up to the arms, I have completed the bottom of one arm and have started on the second.  Soon I will be gathering the fronts, back and arms onto one long circular needle and finishing the yoke of the sweater.  You understand that I won't be able to wear this for a while, it is in the mid to high 80's here.  But I look forward to the finished product, well that is if something else doesn't catch my fancy, which knowing me is entirely likely.


And this evening when the sun goes down just a bit you will find me here, swinging and reading or knitting.  A great way to end the day.  I think I could get used to more days off if they were all as nice as this, moving at my own pace and pittering and puttering around.

Hope you are having a lovely day, too.

34 comments:

JCDiTaranto said...

Sounds like a lovely day off! And as wonderful as it must have felt to do something so nice for someone else on Mother's Day, I hope you got a little pampering, too! Enjoy the rest of your day!

Between Me and You said...

I'm right there with you on that swing, Mer! except I would keep my feet firmly up in the air in case any crocs came meandering out of that swamp!
Lovely,lovely post filled with many delights. x

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi My sweet Meredith, What a fabulous day you have had! I have missed a lot being away! Love the projects you are working on, the african flower bag colors are exquisite! Love the combination! The sweater is a wonderful design, I love when you can pickup and join everything onto one circular. Your flowers looks so cheery and that swing is awaiting you this evening!
You were so kind to be a respite caregiver on Mother's day, I knew you were special. Enjoy your evening
xoRobin

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you had such a wonderful day. Today was a bit busy for me, but tomorrow will be MY day of restful knitting and relaxing.

That was SUCH a nice thing you did for the foster Mom. I'm sure she enjoyed her breakfast out.

linda said...

So glad you enjoyed your day off, it sounds like a good one to me, love the look of your wips especially the bag, the colours are beautiful :)

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

You have very pretty flowers in your yard and you African flower blocks look very very beautiful.. I really like the idea of swining in your Provence Blue Swing and reading and crocheting too.. Hugs Judy

kathy b said...

SOunds like your MOTHERS day just came 2 days later than mine. IM so happy you got to go at your own pace today Isnt it refreshing ?

YOu are so sweet to give that foster momma a breakfast treat!

deebriese said...

Glad you were able to have such a nice day off! Love your swing!

RURAL said...

Having a day to yourself is really important, just relaxing, puttering like you said. It rejuvenates the spirit, and our creativity.

Way to go...

Jen

Annie Cholewa said...

Sounds like the perfect day off ... just the right balance of catching up with the need too's and indulging in the want too's. Here's hoping you have a few more free days on the horizon :)

Tanna said...

There is that blue swing... calling my name again.

You did a really good deed, Meredith... and enjoyed a little reward today. A win-win! blessings ~ tanna

Pammy Sue said...

A perfect kind of day! Your flowers look so pretty and healthy. I haven't planted one thing yet. I talked to Kate today and she has planted lots of potted goodies on her back porch. They were so pretty that it may have inspired me to do some planting myself. I just love the bouganvilla (excuse the spelling), but they burn up down here in the heat. Hope the rest of your week is as lovely as the beginning.

Mrs. Micawber said...

Half the fun of a day off is knowing that everyone else is at work. :)

So glad you enjoyed yours. You got a lot more done than I do! That bag will be gorgeous - lovely colours. And the bougainvillea is beautiful.

Teresa Kasner said...

You are the sweetest most thoughtful person EVER! To give that woman her M-day to go out.. lovely. It was neat to read what a nice day you had and how you appreciated it. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Betsy said...

My I join you in your swing? I just love it and your backyard view. It was so thoughtful of you o help so your friend could have breakfast for Mothers Day, I so wish you could enjoy lunch with us ladies onThursday.

Gracie Saylor said...

Well done, Meredith! Enjoying beauty, creating beauty, and being beautiful. Thank you.
Love with hugs from Gracie

Kris said...

Hi Meredith! What a lovely day indeed!! How nice to receive the flowers too! Your garden is gorgeous. And the swing looks so inviting! The perfect spot for a bit of knitting at the end of the day. I love to putter in my house and yards!!!
Also, I missed your previous post, and loved it!!!!
XO Kris
PS Yes, I am...in answer to your question

The Faerie Factory said...

What a wonderful day off. We all need to take time out to just be and stop and smell the roses. Sarah x

Ladybird Diaries said...

How lovely to have an unexpected day off, and it looks like you had a great time! Love the look of your new bag you are working on.
M x

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Oh Mere that was so sweet of you to do that for the nice lady. You are just so kind and thoughtful.

Glad you got a day off to enjoy and do what you wanted. Those are always special days.

Love the sweater you are working on and the bag is beautiful.

blessings always

kathyinozarks said...

what an awesome day! I love the simple things in life like that-hugs

Babajeza said...

Enjoy the swing tonight! I have almost ordered mine, but the boss of the company wasn't around when I called them yesterday. Therefore, I have to go there myself. Maybe tomorrow if I'll have an hour or two. :-)

Handmade and off-centered said...

What a wonderful day off you had. Loved this post :)

Olga Poltava said...

Sounds like a great day! I love your African violet bag project; the colors are so beautiful. I think it will look fantastic when finished.

Rebecca said...

This post makes me long for summer here in England x

* said...

Pittering and puttering is good! Sounds like you still ad a busy day, but doing the things you wanted to....your swing seat is crying out for a nice crocheted cushion, in pink to set off against the blue. I'm glad you had such a good day, I think you deserve it when you do so much for others. I like bougainville my mil had a lovely one which I virtually killed when I was responsible for watering it...told you I was rubbish at houseplants, they wouldn't grow outside here, too cold.

Sue Pinner said...

Hi sounds like the perfect day..and the weather to go with it too lol....gone all cold and miserable here again this week
Sring was about a week long and wh knows if we will get any summer at all?
I will just keep reading your sunny posts and enjoy your sunny pictures lol
Hugs x

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Definitely a perfect day! Pittering and puttering at my own pace is my favorite way to spend the day. Weekends are much appreciated for that. During the week, just knowing I have to get out early and in traffic makes my blood pressure go up. Relaxed and slow is definitely a much better way to be. So sweet of you to give that Foster Mother time off. Your gift of flowers is so very pretty and your garden looks lovely. I've not been doing a whole lot of crochet. Still lots of walking and reading. I do wish I had more time for everything, but school will be ending in a month and then time will be on my side again. :) Have a great weekend. Hugs, Tammy

moonstruckcreations said...

A day off in the week is always such a treat!

We too have a swing seat, so relaxing!

Helenxx

Hanne said...

A day off, that sounds good :)
One day I just have to learn making African flowers...

Unknown said...

Your day sounds lovely and perfect hope you have many more the same, dee x

Kristen said...

Oh my, that all sounds so gorgeous. I love your flowers and your pretty blue swing. Sounds like your day off was well-spent! :)

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Hi Meredith ...just wanted to let you know that I have been playing catch up and dealing with personal issues since we got back from St. Louis . Your flowers look so pretty! That is one thing I am envious of living in Florida and that's flowers all year long. I am glad you able to enjoy some days off! Ohio in line for possible severe storms today. It's been very humid and we are running the ac. It's May and storms are to be expected. Hope to reconnect with you soon! ~ Hugs, Patti

Rose Red said...

I'm terribly behind on my blog reading (again).
How kind you are to give the medical foster mum a breakfast out - what a lovely luxury for her.
I also have serious swing envy - I love your swing!