Yah Mon, I'm back from da Islands!

Last week I was on a Caribbean cruise. Ahhhhhh.... Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and St. Marten.

This trip was just what the doctor ordered. After all the project stress in March, it was great to get away with my family and relax, laugh, and have fun in the sun. I found a perfect balance of activity (highlighted by the three "S's", Snorkeling, Sailing, and Shopping) and a blissful lack of activity (I grew accustomed to two-a-day naps!). Plus, some Malibu Rum helped complete the attitude adjustment. You can see in the pictures how my perspective changed.

I may be back at work now, but I'm keeping a bit of island life with me!

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

This past month has been, without a doubt, the most stressful consecutive 4 weeks of my life. Throughout my life I've been through difficult times and I've been through sad times, but I have never experienced such intense stress over so many days. I'm an emotional wreck. I'm constantly on the verge of tears. I've been snippy and irritable. I can't stop my brain from racing with thoughts of all the things I need to do. I leave my "real" job and go to work. Weekends too, filled with projects. I can hardly sleep, not that I have the time anyway.

I don't know what I need more, a vacation, a nap or a stiff drink. All 3 might do the trick.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Keith, brother, business partner and my rock. He's been under the same stress (even more), yet he always manages to pick me up when I collapse (both literally and figuratively). We both need a vacation.