It's been a week of "ponying up."

Last Tuesday, my husband, my oldest two hoodlums, my three dogs, and myself set out on an adventure to Arkansas to hike 38 miles on the Ozark Highlands Trail. We had backpacking equipment, dehydrated food packs, tons of water, and even more excitement. I know it sounds crazy, but we like this kind of stuff, so we were actually very excited. However, the Universe had lessons for us to learn.

1-Thunderstorm hit us the first night camping. Big. Huge Rain, Lightning, and Thunder.

2-The entire hiking trail was covered in poison ivy. 

3-It was raining ticks.

4-It was hot as balls.

5-I literally walked the soles off of my shoes and had to tie my shoes onto my feet.

Just a few hiccups in the plan, but we managed. We changed courses and only hiked 20 miles in and out, and survived. Bonded. And, picked ticks off eachother.

When we arrived home, the chiggers were in full force around our ankles, yet we also managed that. We are bathing in cortizone right now.

The last straw though, the one thing that has me sitting here, on my bed, in the summer instead of doing something summer-y is my latest clumsy moment. As I got out of the shower yesterday, I fell (in slow motion) and spliced the wall with my toes. I was certain my foot was broken. I've broken enough bones to know exactly what to feel for. Thankfully, an x-ray showed just two broken toes, but man. Ouch. 

I'm "ponying up"-a phrase my husband has used since we married for when we just need to power through. Broken toes, chiggers, ivy, sore muscles...oh my. I'm thankful for the air conditioning and for the fact that I don't have toddlers right now.

(Scratch)