It has been exactly one week since I was laid off. In this week off, I've done a lot of cleaning up. Not of my physical space but of computer files, pictures on my phone, thoughts in my mind and random things I've had on the mental to-do list. While doing that, I found these pictures taken in December of 2009 in the quad at LSU while waiting between final exams. I often spent my time between classes lounging in the grass or on the benches under the massive oak trees that are dotted on LSU's campus. The oak trees are perhaps my most favorite thing about LSU.
For 13 months I went to the office from 8am-5pm, sometimes emerging for a one hour lunch break, leaving at 5pm to head to the gym or to this engagement or that meeting. In my high school years I spent at least one hour outside, most days. We'd "sun bath" in the courtyard or after school I'd ride my bike around the neighborhood or play basketball with the neighbor boys. I'd forgotten how wonderful it was to simply sit outside and enjoy the sun! So, on Wednesday I did just that. I went to the gym and then picked up lunch for Paul. He asked if I'd stay and eat with him, so we sat on the back of his truck behind the Jiffy Lube (one of his two jobs) and ate fried chicken from Popeyes. (Did I mention I'm from Louisiana!?) That was by far the most fun and relaxing "lunch break" I've had in over a year. I rolled up my pants and the sleeves of my shirt, turned my face to the sun, and soaked it all in. I can only imagine what the few customers who pulled in thought. You know what, I don't even care who saw me. It was absolutely lovely despite the fact that I may or may not have looked a little sketchy.
Tomorrow morning, I've organized a "Winter Games" outdoors event at a local park. We'll be as
"winter" as we can be here in the Deep South. We'll have ice blocking races, kick ball tournaments, and a few games of broom hockey going on. I'll post pictures of the madness next week.
I've missed my daily dose of warmth and feeling the grass between my toes.
