a snapshot

so i'm taking five minutes to update you on the last five days of staff training:

1. We have 16 staff - 7 girls, 9 boys. that is SOOOOOO many! at least, it seems like it is. But that barely covers the quantity of campers that will be here each week of summer. I like them all. They're quirky, talkative, quick to do things and with a good attitude. (ps. i originally posted "7 girls, 8 boys" and then realized that my math is wrong and i forgot a boy. we have nine...whoops!)


2. I'm working. Well, I'm volunteering to be more exact. 16 hour days, for the last 5 days.... mostly painting, meals, emails, and more painting. I will post pictures of the giant book and library we're creating. A past counselor, Kenedi, came in to save the day by helping to design a "set" for the stage. Our theme this summer is STORY, and she made a giant Storybook and I'm going to paint a library scene. hopefully.

3. I'm worn out today. I feel like I should be pregnant - I'm re-living the craziness of summer, but without a big belly and my opinionated Gwendolyn kicking me all the time. My cup may be overflowing, but it's a much smaller cup than it used to be (or so it seems). I get tired more easily, but feel like I should be pressing on. It's hard to validate resting without a baby.

4. I have had no time this week or last to work on Hope Mommies. This distresses me, and makes me anxious. So if I owe you an email, a receipt, or a follow up or anything, I'm sorry!

5. I eat too much chocolate when I'm stressed.

6. I constantly feel like something is missing. Like i'm off kilter somehow, but still trying to function with a gimp appendage. It's a weird thing, grief.

7. I'm so behind on my house. I have loads of laundry waiting, camp supplies scattered across the living room floor, and my dishwasher was emitting a terrible odor because I had stacked in dirty dishes but hadn't started it for a week. Welcome to the summer life...

8. We tie-dyed our staff shirts. Mine is blue - i like it.

9. I feel like I will never see Blair this summer. It's a challenging thing, and probably a good exercise for our marriage. We see each other for maybe 2 cumulative hours each day? It helps us to communicate in other ways (emails, notes, etc.) and helps me to value the few minutes here and there that I do get with him. He's a really amazing camp director, and I enjoy seeing his gifts light up during these 13 weeks.

10.  .... I like even numbers. I need a 10th thing to tell you about... oh! I got one. The Lord really blessed me with Kenedi this week. Even though we were working and painting like crazy women, we laughed so much. I needed that.

okay. now it's off to construct a giant magnifying glass, and/or a giant gramophone, and/or paint book bindings, and/or work on the staff lounge, and/or do laundry. maybe.