Week 3 of this journey of focusing on our life, one week at a time, one photo at a time and our prompt was "take time".
Sally said " take time for you, without feeling guilty, time to recharge"
That just happened to be what I was doing this past week.
My husband and I were on a long awaited vacation in the Keys and as you can tell by this photo, I was recharging and not feeling one iota of guilt about it!
The temps were in the mid 80's, sunshine, crystal aqua blue waters. Perfection!
I enjoyed walking around during the day taking lots of photos of the colorful houses and buildings in Key West, seeing the historic sites, all the wonderful artwork and riding the trolley.
Then at night I enjoyed the colorful sights again, all the cool bars, hot music, cold drinks and walking down Duval street, drink in hand not feeling guilty again because I was walking and my children are all grown and on their own!
It felt wonderful to just be a couple in love,
not parents, grandparents, business owners or any of the other responsible hats we wear.
Why is it these times for ourselves are so few and far between?
No matter how many times we resolve to hold onto these times we so often find ourselves right back in our everyday ruts, caught up in work and responsibility and all the "shoulds" in life.
You know I live right by a beautiful beach and never made it there once this past summer!
Thank you Sally for reminding us of the importance of focusing on time for ourselves.
Head on over to the Studio Sublime to see how everyone else took time this week.
Great photo, perfect for the theme, and I soooooo want to be there!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous. The photo is awesome and it looks like you were having a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteLove it.
ReplyDeleteOh...the beach. I am such a bluewater fanatic...you are so right..take more time for yourself!!!! Amazing things happen when you do!
ReplyDeletewow! what a picture... and here i sit surrounded by snow bbrrrrr!!
ReplyDeleteenjoy the rest of your sunny holiday :)
[no. 13 this week]
Wonderful pic. A place I have always wanted to see. Hope you post some pics. All that warmth feels good since I am a bit chilly typing at my computer on this wintry morning up North. Thanks so for the sunshine.
ReplyDeleteAhh, the Keys....the best sunsets I have ever seen are in The Keys!Glad you had such a wonderful time and I hope you and your sweetie do it again soon!
ReplyDeletethankyou, laura, for dropping by and leaving such lovely comments :)
ReplyDeleteLaura, I knew by the thumbnail that I would want to pack my bags to be where you are, your photo just looks so inviting!! Soak up some warm sunshine for me!
ReplyDeleteLucky you! I'm so jealous right now. How fun that you allowed yourself to relax and see the wonderful sights without guilt.
ReplyDeleteLove your photo - I love the water!! Glad you a nice time and yes,..why do we start putting all those 'shoulds' back into our life once we realize how good it is for our soul's to 'take time'?
ReplyDeleteLove your photo and glad you had a fabulous time! Ahh...the beach and happiness :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely time! Hope you enjoyed it, and that you find time this summer to enjoy the one nearby!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, Laura, I'll have to add Key West to my must-go places! I've been to FL, but not that far south. One of my other bucket list items is to visit all 50 of the states and all 13 of the provinces; so far I've been to all 13 of the provinces and have about 20+ of the states to go. Key West sounds like my kind of atmosphere. Glad you had a great vacation!
ReplyDeletePerfect photo - not at all jealous...
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely perfect view over the tips of your toes!!
ReplyDeleteVacations are prime recharging time, but since they don't seem to happen as often as I'm sure we'd all like, those little "me" moments are so important on a regular basis.
Ah, that's how one takes time for yourself - vacation! Gorgeous picture - enjoy your time off :)
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the keys, It is absolutely breathtaking and sunrise and sunsets. I still remember the streets I lived on. Bostwick DR. And Poinsettia St. I live about 8 hours away and we plan to take the kids when the babies are a bit older. Beautiful Pictures.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo Laura. Look at those tan legs! I love the Keys. It was my parents favorite place to vacation as I was growing up. So nice you had a chance to spend that time just you and your hubby with no worries!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura, I was just saying that I wanted to go to Key West/Keys in the near future, would love to hear more about your trip. Enjoy the beautiful sunshine, I feel relaxed just looking at your picture!!!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't get much better than a vacation on the beach for some "me time". I love when my husband and I can get away and just be a couple!
ReplyDeleteWow. you took Sally's prompt to heart. LOL Can I join you?
ReplyDeleteOh wow Laura,
ReplyDeleteYou two enjoy the warm temps and the beautiful views and relax.
Therese
Sounds wonderful! I took a long look at your picture, I closed my eyes and could feel that sunshine on my eyelids. Oh so jealous! I did not get enought Vitamin D this week.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I thought you were in FL! I've never been to the Keys but boy you make it sound like heaven! The beach, cold drinks and strolling the streets in the evening! What a dream. I like how you worded all of this too....you do wear many hats and have a very demanding job day to day. But to be just you and Ray as a couple, out and about, now that's fantastic! I absolutely know what you mean...rarely do I have that opportunity to go out as a couple....we did this for Randy's holiday dinner and it was so much fun. Enjoy yourselves! Can't wait to see those pictures!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I would love a little 80° right now.
ReplyDeleteJealous. All I'm gonna say! :) Looks lovely....
ReplyDeleteI agree with Holly, though I live in Florida so have fairly good weather most of the time, but to be lazing on the beach.....yum, yum!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! What a wonderful way to spend your vacation. Your words 'It felt wonderful to just be a couple in love' really struck a chord with me. I think that is one of the most important keys to an enduring relationship - carving time out just to BE, together.
ReplyDeleteHope the two of you have an absolutely amazing vacation! Certainly looks like you are. :)
Great picture and a nice place to take time away!
ReplyDeleteI breathed a sigh of relaxation just looking at your photo. I also live close to a beach and yet did not feel the sand on my toes once last year. I'm making it a priority to change that in 2013, and reading your wonderful description solidified that goal. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to be taking time for yourself. That's truly relaxing. And spending time just being a couple in love, priceless.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, relaxing view! Just the way "me time" should look!
ReplyDeleteA fantastic photo and all very true your post really made me smile thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove it! And, thanks for sharing that beautiful photo! Have a great week! Suzette
ReplyDeleteSince it is -15 degrees with the wind chill today in Wisconsin, I am completely jealous of this photo! The sun shining and the waves crashing. I can just feel your batteries recharging from here! Enjoy the day. Erin
ReplyDeleteLove the Keys, especially Key West. Met my husband there. Love your picture. I could the warm sun and could hear the water lapping on shore.
ReplyDeleteThe Keys is a place I've always wanted to go to for all the reasons you just described! Your picture is fabulous. Good for you:D
ReplyDeletePerfect timing for this post subject - and the pic is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteOh good for you you've totally earned it ten times over!( ...and I am jealous)
ReplyDelete