Three things I'm loving this week:

1. Leisurely solo breakfasts on the deck. I've gotten into a habit of sitting outside for 10 minutes in the morning to eat breakfast and read through the paper while the kids sleep in (or sleep over at my mother's house). It's quickly become my favorite part of the day. Peace, quiet, warm breezes, rustling trees, hummingbirds flitting by, cat sprawled out on the chair next to me, no lawnmowers roaring or neighbor kids yelling at 7 a.m. I plan to cherish these mornings -- they'll come to a fast end when the kids to back to school and I go back to cramming a bagel in my mouth (and putting on my makeup) as I rush to work...running late, of course.

2. Dresses. My summer wardrobe of choice are dresses. They are easy, pretty and they keep a girl cool. I love tossing on a dress in the morning. Underwear, dress, sandals...go. Gotta love that. (Much better than the winter -- Underwear, trouser socks, pants, belt, shirt, vest, suit jacket, winter coat, scarf, mittens... no wonder I'm always running late in the winter.)

3. Hills. I've been actively seeking them out on my walks and runs. I used to avoid them -- thought they were too hard -- but now, I know, the hard things just make me stronger.