A long thin slice along the crease where my thumb bends. A bruise on my left index finger from an accidental jam. An irritated bit of skin on the tip of my tongue, presumably from the hot coffee at brunch. A swollen ankle still slightly burning from the pile of red ants I disturbed. A red eye, irritated from the grass and pollen in the summer Florida air. These are all small incidental things that bother me this morning; small marks on my day, mere distractions here and there as I cobble together some semblance of work.

The weekend was fulfilling in some ways and a hardship in others. Elliot certainly had some toddler moments; crying on the floor in a fit of rage over God knows what. Though he was generally happy and agreeable, especially if we were outside. And the weather was awesome except being outside meant mosquitoes and damn if I didn’t get eaten alive. There’s no perfect thing, I know,  but it would have been nice to be able to enjoy the outdoors without becoming food for tiny insects. Luckily, they left him well enough alone and we got to play in the pool and run around. Pictures to be posted soon.

The summer is chugging along; I am collecting employment paperwork from the incoming graduate students and – of course – judging them based on their ID photos and their ability/inability to fill out forms correctly. I know I shouldn’t but how hard is it to sign where it says, “SIGN HERE” ? Exactly. Soon, I will get to break out the label maker and make new mail boxes for them in our grad lounge. Believe it or not, this is one of the highlights of my summer. Labels!

I wish I had a day off just to myself, where I could clean and lay out in the sun, then make something yummy to eat, then nap. And maybe I could shop, if I had money. I really think I don’t take enough mental health days for myself. Though I think Ash and I are taking Friday afternoon off to see “Up”. Le sigh, it’s only the beginning of the week though so onward I push, straight on ’til Tuesday.