This week was stressful, both financially at the business and at home with the kids.  I still haven't figured out how to turn a profit at my hometown brunch pub.  It's scary.  And to make matters worse, the simple joy of my favorite past time--songwriting--has been robbed from me most mornings by kids who have decided to start waking up before my butt has a chance to hit the piano bench.

Such is the life of a working mother.

Anyway, I had planned to spend the weekend relieving stress by leisurely playing with my kids, taking them to local museums and St. Patrick's Day parades.  Instead, I got a phone call from my Aunt Ruthanne: her house is in jeopardy.  She lives on the Rock River in a flood zone, and--with the snow melting--the river is rising rapidly.  Without an extra 3 foot wall around her home, she was going to lose almost everything. 

So long, leisurely weekend.

Instead, I spent the whole day Saturday filling a couple hundred sandbags in Machesney Park, Illinois.  I drove them 30 at-a-time back to her house and helped build a wall.  The sun was bright.  My hands were freezing.  My lips were chapped.  My back ached at the end of the day.

And I've never felt better. 

Reader, it's easy to be mentally consumed by day-in, day-out stress.  I do it all the time; my head aches at the end of the day.  If it's been awhile since you've lost yourself in a solid day of outdoor work, give it a whirl.  Rake leaves.  Burn sticks.  Wash your car.  Anything.  Turn off your brain and let your body work hard instead. It's amazing how physical labor takes the weight off the mind.

Plus you get a little yard work done to boot.

With that, I'm off to bake cakes for some events I've got cooking this week.  Take great care of your mind this week.  See you next Monday. -Em