Monday Edition #1

Typically, I work 4-10 hour shifts with three days off. Work has been very busy lately (as most of you who keep up with me already know) and we've been short-staffed as well. This means we've been working a fair amount of mandatory overtime, which is nice for the paycheck but rough on days off. I'm forever grateful for my job though, so I'm not complaining, but I digress. Mondays are one of my days off, and I refuse to schedule myself any hours on that day. It's my day.

Since Monday has been my only real day off, for the most part, for the last several months, I've begun to make the most of those days. Instead of going back to sleep after getting kids/husband where they need to go, I've been staying awake and taking full advantage of my Mondays. Yesterday, it was an absolutely gorgeous day. It was nearly 80 degrees, and the sun was shining so beautifully! After getting back home from dropping everyone off, I picked up the house, did the dishes, worked on my author stuff, took a shower, and headed out to the woods. 

It was a perfect day to go hiking and since we're just coming out of Winter, it was the first time in quite awhile that I've gone hiking. When I came out of the woods I was absolutely exhausted, so I figured I must be out of shape from not hiking much lately, but then I checked my watch. What normally takes me two hours to hike, took me just a little over an hour. Which means I'm not out of shape...I'm in better shape! It was a tremendous feeling to know that I'm slowly, but surely and steadily, improving my health. Anyway, here's how my day went.  

This is one of a couple of benches out at Neale Woods, my favorite hiking spot around here. It overlooks a valley surrounded by forest, and from that bench, you can just make out the Omaha skyline. Gorgeous.

I found this little artistic creation on my way into the forest. Someone found an animal skull and made it the centerpiece of carefully placed rocks. I thought it was pretty cool so I took a photo for posterity.

Itsa me. I got my hair and outfit hiking-ready. Check out my new hiking backpack that my husband gave me for Xmas. It's so much better than my old school backpack.

This is the barn where I'm pretty sure they keep a large mower in. It's usually closed up, and I'm pretty sure this is only the second time I've seen it open. It's a cool structure that has obviously been around for a number of years.

Here I am, deep in the heart of the forest. Down in the valley, surrounded by trees and bathed in sunlight. Is there a better way to reset your batteries? I think not.

My view coming out of the forest. Just off in the distance is the Omaha skyline that I mentioned. Cool huh?

Overall, it was a wonderful day off, and I enjoyed every second of it. I rounded the day out with a visit from a friend, spending time with my family, enjoying a few good beers, and an easy meal of vegan fish & crab with french fries and some miso-sauteed veggies. 

It's back to work for me today, but I have my regular schedule this week, and I'm excited for my impending weekend off. Have a fantastic day!