Did you find it to be a slow week? Historically, this is a slow week for blogging and influencing, right up there with Christmas week, but I think it’s even more so now! Maybe it’s the heat wave or the beach vacations. When I was a kid, we’d go to Myrtle Beach, SC or Ocean City, MD for two weeks right after July 4th. Now our own vacations are coming up, (more on that later) but this week was about salmon on the grill and water fights at summer camp. And the search for ice cream sundaes.
So it’s time for a rundown post. It’s time for a recap, a catchup, a hello, a goodbye, and even a fun summer meme that I hope you’ll join me in filling out. The heat wave is mostly over and it’s time to cool off and chill out. Maybe read a book.
Reading: “The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah. I was on hold for this book at the library forEVER! I’m so excited! Of course it was due back there yesterday and I’m only halfway through the book, but it’s worth the ten cents a day. The book takes place way, way out there in Alaska and is so far beyond my expectations. There are MOOSE, although not always friendly.
Planning: Scarlet’s Harry Potter birthday cake, and if I got her enough presents. The dates for our trip to Cape Cod (later than usual), my birthday week, our family weekend in a cabin in Maine for work (and fun), as well as if I want to travel beyond those trips. Also, the kids’ camp schedule, two camp lunches, and putting something FUN on my to-do list for today.
Wearing: As seen in the first photo too, a really great hat.
Stressing: Just run of the mill stomachache stuff. Is the world dying? Will there be a second Civil War? Why does the puppy eat underwear? Will Des keep sitting out during camp swim time? Should I go to bed earlier? Am I dehydrated? If I have another baby, will my kids happily be ten years apart? Will I survive? Am I dying? Is that a freckle or is it cancer? Typical.
Wishing: That all of Scarlet’s birthday wishes come true. That all of my birthday wishes come true. And that I’ll renew my expired passport and actually put a stamp on the next one. For the peace, happiness, and health of everyone I know.
Feeling: A little distant, a little wistful, a little overwhelmed, a little underwhelmed.
Listening: I cannot stop. I just cannot stop listening to this:
Eating: Peanut butter cup ice cream. Only when writing this, and probably not when publishing this in the morning!
Loving: Morning birdsong, the way Astro sleeps on top of me like a blanket, seeing a movie in a big cushy seat next to Scarlet, waking up from nightmares to see that I haven’t lost everything, or even something, and work/life balance.
Hoping: That anxiety goes away, the world stops boiling in a heat wave, there’s not a second Civil War, that people will be smarter, that my puppy will stop chewing the carpet, and that we’ll get a series of low humidity, 75 degree days!
1 – Will you go on a summer vacation this year? Yes! Definitely to Cape Cod and Maine – those are already planned. I’d also really love to do a trip to Moosehead Lake with a cabin, a rented zoom lens and boots that go up to my waist.
2 – Do nothing but relax, or pack it all in vacation? The balance of both, whether in one trip or taking one trip just to relax, and another trip to do everything totally crazy and adventurous and booked in advance. I can’t choose one.
3 – What month do you like to vacation? Honestly? January through March and July through September. I can’t understand going to Florida right now, unless you plan to go in the colder weather too. I want relief wherever I go. Other than that, I’d like to vacation every month of the year! Warm places in winter, and cold, northern places in summer. Relief places.
4 – Cruise: YES or NO? I don’t know if this question means if I have gone on a cruise or not, or if I think they’re cool or not? I’m going with a NO for both. I’ve never been on one and I NEVER want to go on one. Cassidy feels the same about this one thing. It makes me feel claustrophobic and queasy thinking about it. Trapped with all those people and no escape? Nope.
5 – Favorite holiday tradition? For July 4th? We only have one. Fireworks! And our dogs don’t mind them, so that’s a win.
6 – Most memorable vacation? I mean, aren’t they all? Maybe it was my first trip to California, which was also the second time I ever laid eyes on Cassidy. His entire world came to life out of the words of his emails. There was our honeymoon in Alaska, of course, and all of the gloom and doom and magic. All of the beach vacations I had as a kid combined.
7 – Pack light or pack it all? I think I have a good balance, but when in doubt, pack more bikinis and sundresses.
8 – Hotel, condo, or house? There’s no wrong answer here! I like a two-story condo with a spiral staircase!
9 – Favorite thing(s) to eat on vacation? Well it pains me to say that I am NOT a lobster and corn on the cob girl. I do love fresh fruit, ice cream, clam chowder, and beach house lunches. You know the type. When you get back from the beach, ravenous, and you don’t even care that your sand-covered hands are making lunches that consist of cold cut sandwiches, with or without the bread, pickles, sliced peaches, and lots of potato chips. Beach house cookies too.
10 – Warm or cold destinations? Oops, I sort of answered that. In the summer, I like to go to Cape Cod beaches, Maine, or Alaska type places. In the winter, please please give me warm beaches and theme parks and palm trees, and I’m good.
