Friday: Summer Plans

This photo was taken at my desk.  I was writing it up when I should have been hard at work.  Instead, I am doing what I always do -- thinking of Miss Violet and how much I wish I were having fun with her!
If I could make a living doing that it would be my dream job, let me tell ya.

So I started brainstorming a very extensive list of all the fun things I want to do with her in these coming summer months.  I don't know if we can get to all of them but I sure want to try.
Honestly, I don't think I could afford to do all of these things - I work at a non profit museum people, and I live on my own ---- I am broke, broke, BROKE.  But I listed some things that require very little cash without compromising any of the fun bits.

**Violet's Summer Fun List!!* (yes two exclamation points make it even more fun)

- Day at the Froggy Pond (aka = Audubon)
- Camping with our family (this is in the works and my fingers are SO crossed it happens)
- Santa's Village and/or Story Land
- Weirs Beach (a little trashy now but a rite of passage!)
- Hiking a trail in the W. Mountains
- York Beach + York's Wild Kingdom
- Canobie Lake (still better than Six Flags any old day)
- Mini Golf!
- Crystal Lake Park (city beach right at home)
- Odiorne State Park
- All the local children's theater productions! (she is actually going to these with her preschool/summer camp).
- Derry Splash Pad!
- A night at the movies (or at the "movie center'" as V calls it).

And in general:

- Scooter rides
- Jump Rope Contests (because my girl has finally learned the skill!)
- Thursday Entertainment at our local library (my old stomping ground)
- Rock Painting
- Firefly Catching
- Indoor Mommy/Child Yoga or a Studio Class

Yay! I am a planning machine.  So here's hoping for a fantastic summer with my girl.  I am really trying to focus on these good times instead of thinking about the lesser parts.  We definitely need the positive to shine.

This summer is also marking a time when I have decided to get back into Volunteering.  It is something I used to do when I was in college but since, lost the time.  I worked for a elderly transportation facility for a time and also, at an animal shelter.
My love of animals, kitties in particular has led me to find work at a local shelter, Animal Allies.  I drove by the place so many times and thought, I wish I could help... I finally made the call a few weeks ago and began working for them.
Volunteering for me, feels like a step in the right direction of life.  It takes the focus from my junk/problems right around to what is important.  Helping others.  Helping my furry, kitty friends in particular.  It is real and it is time spent so well, helping those special babies, I love them already.

Of course I want to get healthy this summer as always but for now, I am working in small ways, small steps, to bring myself back to normal.  The past few weeks have been really difficult and have humbled me a lot.
I can't worry about every thing all at once because it is too much to handle and I freak out.
My diet is pretty bad and I only move when necessary, but I know those things will change and get better when I am ready to focus there.