Farewell Monday's

photo by: lisa petrarca

Today is officially my last Monday off. I currently work part-time for a Commercial Real Estate Development Company Tues.-Fri., as an Independent Contractor.  

I used to work on Monday's helping out a bookkeeper. When things slowed down for her, and she no longer needed me on Monday's, I was a little worried about how we'd get by without the extra money. But somehow, like always, things just worked out. We were definitely tight, but I really began digging in on my writing & finishing up my book. Monday's became my official "WRITING" day. 

As I finished writing my book (which I actually hand wrote-that's just how I like to write) I began struggling with typing it all up. Writing is fun...typing is not.

Subconsciously I think it may have brought me closer to my fear, my dreaded fear of failure. So my typing began to stop, which in turn stopped my book progress. Something always seemed to come up on Monday's. I became too busy to type. I know, I know, I shouldn't just limit my typing to Monday's, but that was my 'designated' day, or so I told myself. Now I still am several, several, several chapters away from finishing my typing, putting my book together & submitting it.

Unfortunately, as with all things, my "Monday's" are coming to an end. Today is my final Monday off. It’s fitting that it's raining outside, a dark, dreary yet cozy day. 

A new Monday job fell right smack into my lap. It wasn't solicited or searched for. It was gift wrapped and handed to me by a friend who does books for a very large company in Newport Beach. They needed someone to come in & help with an overload of work they have. My friend told them about me, I met with them last week and today they offered me the position. It will be every Monday & a few other days after I finish my other job at 3. The money will be so helpful. It will ease some of our financial strain, and I'm learning to walk through the doors that the Lord opens for me. This is definitely one of them.

So Monday's, I've enjoyed our time together. I've grown. I've started a dream because of you. I now will find the determination and drive to finish it because I can no longer continue to take advantage of you. You have been a bright light on Sunday nights, as I looked forward to spending time with you in the morning. So today, my very last day alone with you, I say Farewell Monday's! It's time to move on to a new chapter in my life.

It's Officially Over & Begun

My photo break is officially over. During my "time off" I planned on finishing a book that I've been writing & working on for over a year, however, that familiar self doubt started to creep in and I often found myself looking for other things (blogging - 'quick fix' for my inner writing bug) instead of being as diligent as I had hoped.

Now track season has officially begun...picture time! I love taking pictures almost as much as writing, but with the amount of shots I have to take (all of the boy sprinters) I sometimes find myself getting a little overwhelmed, (going through the 300+ photo's weekly, deleting, editing, downloading & emailing.) Why can't I just be independently wealthy so I can spend ALL my time writing & taking pictures? Sigh...work tends to get in the way of my true passions. Don't get me wrong, I'm VERY thankful to have a job & especially with two AMAZINGLY incredible bosses who go out of their way to thank me daily (I mean really, who gets thanked as they leave everyday) but work is still work right? Enough about me...blah blah blah...I can go on forever sometimes!

Welcome to track season...and...for my fashion friends (I don't want you to be too bored) check out the spikes (running shoes) most of the boys design their own online at Nike iD.com.

my son Elijah (left) 10th grader running Varsity-woo hoo!
Coming from behind on the outside-4x100 Meter Relay



intense race!

We won our heat!

4x200 Meter Relay **we won again**




some of the hurdlers

love capturing the intensity on their faces!


Congratulating the little sophomore on running so well!

We're off to a great start, especially considering we haven't had a track to practice on yet (they've been putting in a new all weather track & we don't know when their going to be done.) Makes it a little tough on the boys & coaches. Luckily they were pleasantly surprised!

He Locked Me Out

Today I decided to go outside and sit in the sunshine to write my book. I usually try to do about 30 min. each day. This is hard for me because I'm definitely not a very disciplined person.

So my husband gets home, starts trying to joke around with me & I tell him to leave me alone so I can concentrate...book writing is serious business, LOL!

But really, it can be super annoying when you're trying to focus & everyone continues to distract you.

He headed into the house, locked the door & looked through the window at me, trying to be funny. I just ignored him & went back to my writing. About 15 min. later, my phone started to ring (which was in the house). I tried to get in & it was still locked. The boys had left & my husband had gone upstairs to take a shower.

There I sat, locked out of my house in the backyard.

I yelled for him...nothing. I opened the garage door, went around to the front, knocked, banged & yelled (I'm sure the neighbors thought the new people were having some crazy fight or something.)

By now, I had to go to the bathroom & I was MAD! I went back around & started screaming towards our upstairs bedroom window. He finally came down, laughed a little and said, "Oh sorry, I thought I unlocked it before I went up."

I said, "No you didn't...OOOOOOO just you wait! I'm going to lock you out on purpose and see how you like it!"

Then I stormed upstairs to change for my sons football passing league. I continued to give him the silent treatment till about half way through the game. Now, I just have to wait for the perfect opportunity! Yeah I'm like that, PAYBACKS...It's sooooo on! hahahha

We Made It!

We arrived in Utah tonight and I'm ready to have a RELAXING time. We don't have any set plans which makes it nice because you can just decide each day without feeling rushed from a schedule. Which is why I needed a vacation in the first place, to escape the fast pace schedule that is MY LIFE!

We didn't get to go dancing last night in Vegas, but we probably will next week on our way back home. We just hung out in our hotel and gambled a little bit, then sat back and listened to music & Karaoke singers in the Lounge. It's so nice to get sister time!

We took our time driving to Utah this a.m. Which is very good since me and my sister are both in a hurry even when we don't have to be. It was a nice drive. Except for the head of a coyote that was sitting in the middle of the freeway...no body or anything, just a head...WEIRD! Not to mention the stomach problems me and my sister both had, which forced us to make frequent stops. I guess that's one way to slow us down. Why does that always happen on trips? There's nothing worse than having to use gross restrooms.

I'm looking forward to getting to spend time with my family, writing my book and taking tons of pics (which I can't post till I get back) AND LOTS OF SLEEP. Stay tuned for the always crazy happenings that seem to surround me and my family!