the kind of days that make my soul happy

For those of you who know me, I am not a planner. 
I do not plan things.
Ever.
When I do plan, it is a very rare occasion, and usually a very uncomfortable experience for me.
I don't know, it's just not in me. I am more of a "go with the flow"type person. Take things as they come, wait until the very last minute to decide on things, etc. 

So.
Yesterday was one of those days where things just kind of started happening, ideas of what to do were formulated and then quickly implemented.

And it was awesome.


My roommates Vitina and Julie decided to go to Lake Trafford to paint, which was just such a beautiful idea, and if I could paint, I would have joined in that endevour. However, it was a beautiful day, and I could not pass up a journaling/reflecting/reading opportunity at the lake.

Vitina and Julie went ahead, and I waited on our friend Daniela. We got books and journals, and headed out a bit after. We parked ourselves on the dock, facing the lake, in the shade. I was ready to write, and Daniela was reading "If I Ran A Circus" by Dr. Seuss. (It was lying around our house, and for whatever reason, she decided to bring it along). I told her how I appreciated her reading Dr. Seuss, so she began to read it aloud, which was a beautiful reliving-my-childhood moment. I also thought it would spark my creativity as I prepared to write...

Instead, we attracted two young girls, who had come to the lake with their dad. They came up to us, and started listening to the book...Of course any people who were older in age, walked past us and looked at us like we were nuts, but the girls wanted in! So, we finished reading and they asked if we could read it again. I took upon this endeavour, and naturally my teacher instinct came out, and I had the girl read it, helping her sound out words, as she went. It was then that the girl said to me: "You're from Bookworm!" She caught me. She knew I was a teacher. She was in first grade, like I teach, but a different class. I pondered how she knew me, since I was hidden behind neon-green sunglasses.

But, she was right. :) How funny that her impression of teachers is now that they go read Dr. Seuss books at the lake on weekends. 

Daniela then brought up the idea of icecream, which naturally I was all about. So we told the girls we had to leave, but I let the girl borrow the book, having her promise she would bring it back on Monday (today-which she did). :) 

So , Daniela and I left, and decided that instead of neighborhood McDonalds icecream, we were going to venture out to Fort Myers, and while we were at it, we might as well go to the beach!  So, off we went. Stopped home, changed, got the wallets, keys, and headed out. It was a beautiful day, car windows rolled down, music blasting. A relaxing and fun day that we both needed, dearly.

We went to a place in Fort Myers called Love Boat icecream, or something like that. Best icecream I've ever had.

We made it to the beach to see the sunset, which was fantastic because I've been wanting to see the sunset at the ocean since I've been down here. It's almost been 3 months, and I finally got my wish.

After that, we came home, and Clarissa and I went to meet up with some friends to play volleyball at the park. Which I am SO excited this is becoming more of a regular thing as well, because I've totally wanted to play since I've been down here. However, I strained a muscle in my back, and so that kinda stinks. I've been heating it, icing it, resting it, and popping pills, so I should be back to normal soon.

Anyways, it was a fantastic day. So unplanned. So random. So good for the soul. So good. 

I believe planning has it's place, and some people find it really necessary, and heck-I'm sure I could benefit from time to time. But having each and  every minute of every hour of every day planned out is so unattractive to me. These random days of just up and doing things, going places simply because we want to...these are the days that make me smile the most. :)

Sunset at Fort Myers Beach

Love Boat Ice Cream

*Stay Tuned* There will be a blog coming soon about my thoughts on this picture, the adorable elderly couple over to the side, and love...