Thursday, March 24, 2011

Three Weeks Later...

It's been three weeks since my last post.

I've been volunteering, but not writing. I don't really have a good excuse for why I haven't been blogging. It reminds me of that thank-you letter I kept putting off until I eventually forgot. But I never really forget these things. Then the guilt worms its way into my consciousness and festers.

So, cliché as it is — better late than never.

I can tell you that this past month, I've done more cooking and grocery shopping, and I spent one lovely Sunday afternoon reading for five hours in bed. I spent a weekend with extended family, and I watched a play at Meadowbrook. Rob and I were even able to get a water filtration system installed (well, truthfully, my father-in-law installed it, but that counts, right?) This weekend I will see friends and family for my best friend's baby shower.

I'm enjoying myself.

I also overextended myself at work on a special project that took three weeks to complete. And I apologize to co-workers who had to hear me whine about it. Really, how do they put up with me sometimes?

While I only have a few more weeks left on the project, I know that there are opportunities I was not able to be a part of that I still want to try. Habitat for Humanity is one of them. I also got a call for the "Greening of Detroit" project — where groups travel to the city and plant trees. I know there are other things that I still want to do, and at some point I will.

But I'm also looking forward to enjoying my summer with friends and family Up North, and not worrying about getting my "time in" and then attempting to find Internet Access in the boondocks to write about it.

Over the last couple of weeks, I've volunteered for Gleaners (again). What can I say, I love Gleaners, and yet, there always seems to be something new I can learn. So, I packed backpack meals. Two cans of Beef 'n Mac, one can of fruit, one can of vegetables, two milks and a small box of cereal. These are the meals children from low-income homes take with them on Fridays. Knowing my own eating habits, it hardly seems to be enough. Again, it makes me thankful.

Last weekend, I volunteered for the spelling bee sponsored by The Oakland Press. Not only did I get to meet more people who work for the OP, I was able to watch the enthusiasm of the students who were excited to compete academically.

There was one week I skipped out on — and I will make up for it, either by doubling up, or going one week longer.

Next week, I will be reading to preschoolers at OLHSA, and I can't wait. It goes without saying that books are an important part of my life, and I like encouraging children to enjoy reading.

If anyone has any ideas on how to spend my last weeks, feel free to send me some ideas.