Day O' Julie - AGAIN!

Thank goodness for the Civil War. You know what I'm saying?

What is it with men and their interest in the C.W.?? I have never known one chick who has a passion for it. Anyway, that works in my favor because yesterday Alan loaded up the boys and my dad, and they all trotted down to Bentonville to watch the 145th re-enactment of the last battle of the C.W. Since this was clearly a Boy Trip, I did not choose to join them. Which meant, woe-is-me, I had the day to myself. After lounging around with my dog and the internet for a while (why? WHY does that sound like I was doing naughty things??), I actually did go out and do a little yardwork, which included planting some daffodil bulbs. Yes, I know that it is the WRONG time of year to plant bulbs. However, these were stolen bulbs from the woods up the street, and I had to hide the evidence as quickly as possible. You never want to be busted by the Bulb Police.

Unfortunately, I had a raging headache for most of the day, so after a couple of hours of yardwork, I just HAD to have a little lunch and a snooze. With the windows open. And birdies tweeting. And a snoring dog beside me. See how I suffer so my boys can have Special Fun together?
And then, THEN, I drove to Salisbury to meet my precious friend Melissa for some coffee and picture time. We always have such good times together. The funny thing is, it's not like we were close friends when we knew each other in college. We've just really hooked up in the past year, thanks to Facebook. See the good that has come from my ADDICTION???
About once a week this year, I have driven to Salisbury to supervise an SLPA that works for the company I work for. As good fortune would have it, she and I typically meet at a McDonald's right off the highway and problem solve our way through her caseload dilemmas. And through a #2 combo meal. And sometimes through a chocolate-dipped cone.
Pro: what a delicious way to earn my pay
Con: yet another reason for why half of my work pants don't fit

Depending on her schedule on the days that I come to supervise, we will then drive to one of her kiddie's locations, and I observe and offer my very sage (ha ha) advice while she provides speech therapy. To be honest, this is one of the things I have loved best about this job this year. My SLPA is awesome - she's a great therapist, timely in her paperwork, is very responsible, and has a heart for these kids. Plus she's fun to hang out with. And we dish on The Company together. And she buys me stuff (like a laminator! from Aldi's!). What's not to love? Seriously - she has made my job so, so easy this year.

But anyway, all of that to say that when we leave My Most Favorite Restaurant In All The World to go to a therapy location, I am always, always wanting to stop at different locations and take pictures. Unfortunately, I am NOT paid by The Company to do that. More's the pity.

Truth be told, I have really let my passion for photography fall to the wayside this year. I had no intentions of doing that, but this job has entailed a lot more work from home than I anticipated. Which is OK, but that then means that it takes even more time to get house stuff even halfway done. Which means I am left with little time, let alone ambition to take pictures. So much for getting a little side photography bi'ness happening.

ANYWAY, Melissa is a fellow photography fiend, and she and I always love goofing around with our cameras together. She is so talented and really has an artist's eye for perspective. I love having such gifted friends that I can learn from and gain inspiration! AND, she's just so doggone cute.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day - blue skies, sunny, and 70 degrees. And since we met later in the afternoon, the light was really nice. Unfortunately, she was a little bit stick-in-the-mud-ish about letting me do things like Break Into The Bell Tower, but we managed to have a good time anyway as we strolled around town looking for texture. Doesn't that make us sound like pros? I'd like to think so.

Now there are definitely some parts of Salisbury that are more picture-esque than others, but to be honest, I could have spent all day taking pictures there. There are some gorgeous late 19th century homes in the historic district. I'm accepting applications at this time for those of you out there that would like to buy one for me.

And lo and behold, what did we find but a mid-19th century home with ties to supporting the Confederate army. Taking pictures of it (see directly above) was more my style of reliving the Civil War!

I'm so thankful for time to myself (i.e. sans home responsibilities) to unwind and feel creative. And the company of a good friend is always appreciated and valued. It was a very good day.