Hello Lovelies

Yes, you, I'm talking to you...How has life been treating you post holiday chaos?  Has the clutter been put away and the diets started and exercise begun?  We all do it...Are you starting to feel the effects of days just a little bit longer?  Tiny little increments of time added to each day mean that we are that much closer to summer, and I love summer.  Can I get an AMEN?  

Yeah, life can just kind of beat you up around the holidays.  My son and his wife moved back to College.  We helped them move into their apartment in 5 stinking degrees!  What kind of fool moves on January 1st?!  I mean seriously...I may or may not have fallen on the snow and ice...In 5 degrees, it just never melts.  But good news, I didn't spill the soda I was carrying.  They all thought that I was odd, but the truth is, even though I really like my coke, I just didn't want to be covered in cold wet soda in 5 stinking degrees...Do you see that picture above?  The one that says -11?  Yeah, we didn't move furniture then.  Your nose hairs freeze at -11.  They actually pretty much froze at 5 degrees, but so did my eyeballs, well pretty much my whole body.  Just sayin'

My baby has been accepted to college, she's excited but nervous about that.  Babies like their mama's...at least mine does.  Will I have to go back to college so I don't miss her too much?  I'll make a great roommate...But seriously who has time for that at my age.  I guess I'll have to cut the apron strings at some point.

KT has been a gym slave driver, but it's good for us.  It's nice to get back full force, even IF the scale doesn't budge.  At least I feel better.

What is happening in your neck of the woods?

A Taste of Summer

It's winter, it's cold, and right about now I'm craving a bit of summer.  Sitting by the campfire and roasting s'more's may be a few months off, but this easy, little recipe gives me a little taste of summer.  I recently made this for a gathering of youth who got together to play *indoor* camp games.

Enjoy!

S'More Snack Mix

1 Box of Golden Graham cereal

1 small bag of mini marshmallows

1 small bag of milk chocolate chips

Summer Reads

Source

Since I have been laid up this summer with back problems, I have been doing a lot of reading.  I have recently discovered and have been enjoying Kristy Tate's books.  They are clean, fun and have some romance to them, too.  I also enjoy her blog, Kristy's Stories,  as she gives updates and insight into her works of fiction.

She is offering a special right now on Rescuing Rita.  It is 99¢ on Amazon.  It will probably go up to $4.99 like her other books.  I just bought Rescuing Rita today.  I haven't read this one yet, but I'm plugging her book because I'm cool like that.  But, really, also because I get a coupon for another one of her books.  This book junkie just can't get enough...

Summertime Breaks

Source

Hello dearest, do you miss me?  I know I haven't been around much these last few weeks.  After much contemplating, I came to the realization that I just do not have many summers left with my sweet daughter.  I mean she will be a high school sophomore in August! Since my boys have left home, I have found that moments with children slip away far too fast.

Although I love writing and reading and visiting your blogs, I love my daughter more.  These long summer days have grown far too short and far too few of them are left.  Before long, I will be back to work at the school, and Ladybug will be back in classes at her school.  I have decided to focus the remainder of my summer on her and some quality time spent together.

I miss the summers of busy boys and legos and dinosaurs.  Before I know it, I will be missing my precious time with Ladybug, too.  I will continue to post Miguel's Missionary Moment on Mondays.

Hang tight, I will return...

Boredom Busters and {MMB}

Today I am posting over at MMB and sharing some ideas for Summer Boredom Busters.  I'd be thrilled if you would hop on over and give me some comment love.

How's life been in your neck of the woods?  It's been so incredibly hot here.  I never dreamed I would think 95 felt cool.  Thank goodness for air conditioning...I'm grateful every single day for that blessing.

Source

Summertime Lovelies

I love changing things up for the seasons in my home decor.  Summer is no different.  I go for simple changes.  Since Memorial Day, I have been leaning toward the Patriotic decor...we have Memorial Day, Flag day and Independence Day.  The following are some fun ideas I came up with to change up my decor and reflect our Patriotism.

I love changing up my mantle. A cute, seasonal printable is an easy change up.

I found this one here.

Red, white and blue table runner...

Easiest wreath EVER...I still feel like it's missing something.  Any suggestions?

Oh, and Happy Flag Day?

 

Schools Out...well for some

Source

School's out this week!  Such a relief to finally be on Summer Break...except I'm not...

I work in the office.  This is actually our busy time.  Office close out, registrations, records to be forwarded, students to be scheduled for next year, data entry.  It's different without the students around, but it is busy.

I'm taking a week off next week to be a camp counselor.  I'm not sure how much of a "vacation" that will be, but I am looking forward to spending time with Ladybug.

What kind of summer plans do you have?

 

Summer Day

Source:  ME

It's a good book, cool breeze, warm sun

chirping birds, grassy toes,

diet cherry coke drinkin'

kind of summer day

Spa Day

I often tell KT or Ladybug that I'm heading to the spa.  You know you don't have to have a lot of money to go to the spa.  After my SITS day, I felt I needed a welcome break.  You know, we famous people do need a break every once in a while.  Being famous can be so exhausting...Welcome to my spa...

1.  Lounge chair (check)

2.  Kindle or paperback book of choice (check)
3.  Icy drink (iced herbal red raspberry tea) (check)

Unfortunately my spa is only open during the Spring, Summer and early Fall months.
Today I am working another lengthy registration.  
I will be dreaming and longing for more spa days like this.

Cliff Jumping

While boating about the lake, Military Man pulled up near the side of some cliffs and stopped the boat.  Then, he dove off.  Yes, you read that right, he dove off the boat, swam to shore and proceeded to climb the cliff barefoot in a swim suit.  Once he reached the top, he jumped.  There isn't too much counsel you can give a 20 year old who doesn't want to listen.  So, I pulled out the camera determined to document either a successful jump or his death.  He is certainly addicted to the "rush" and that scares me.  I only raise them slightly psychotic.  As you can see...his jump was successful.

Boating with the Monkeys

I so much enjoy spending time with my family.  My WHOLE family.  When all the kids are together it is pure bliss for me.  Although Miguel was pretty grouchy because his girlfriend wasn't there.  But we found some cell coverage, called her and she met us at the lake.  Miguel knew the time was dwindling down that he could spend with her since his departure date for his Mission was fast approaching.

Hello, Monday!

Hello, fresh new pedicure.

Hello, lazy cat.

Hello, shave ice.

Hello, walk with Ladybug

Hello, horse out in the field.

Hello, Monday.

I Miss Summer, What?

I  reached the coveted end of the school year last week.  This doesn't mean the same things to me now, like it did when I was a child or even just a few years ago.  Carefree days spent pool side, on the boat, reading our just hanging with my kids, has been replaced by work, work and maybe a little more work.  I work during the school year, but the summer is a different kind of work.  It is the work of two lengthy registrations (often referred to as the "Hell Weeks" by moi), the work of enrolling students in courses and creating student schedules.  It is the work of assigning lockers and parking passes.  It is the work of running back and forth to the school after getting desperate e-mails from non plan ahead parents who need a "letter of compliance" for the State of Idaho for their children to get a learner's permit.

As you read this, I am re cooperating from two very stressful days of registration.  If I am missing here for the next couple of weeks or months, you shall know why.  Although I do have a few posts pre planned.

I am not complaining.  I have a job that I love, I have a paycheck, and I do get some time off during the year.  I just miss my summers.

Enjoy a Classic summer tune:

Aren't they smooth?

Summer Tunes

This music video makes me excited for warmer summer days. Idaho doesn't have beaches, obviously, but a girl can day dream...    

A Pioneer Trek

Ladybug and Miguel were able to participate in a Pioneer Trek to Martin's Cove this summer. What is that you say? It is an opportunity for them to dress like pioneers, and pull handcarts 20+ miles in Wyoming. Where is the joy in that? Well, it is a wonderful "Come to God" experience. Their testimonies grow, they learn to work together and help each other AND they gain a greater appreciation for the religious sacrifice of our ancestors. Now, I did have to hone my sewing skills for Ladybug's pioneer skirt (don't laugh), grandma made the apron and I BEGGED someone to make the Pioneer bonnet for me. See, I can delegate! Miguel, no sewing required...

WOW

♫♫Oh what do you do in the summer time...♫♫

In the summer I enjoy lying on my back in the cool grass and staring at the beautiful, fluffy clouds trying to make out shapes.  This little summer pastime enjoyment I inherited from my Mom.  Take a look and comment below what you think this cloud looks like...

How do you stay cool?

 Source:  Me

When I was a little girl we had a swimming pool. We rented my grandma's house, and we could go swimming anytime we wanted, just walk out the back door. When we moved to a new house, we were right up the street from Newbury Park High School. NPHS was blessed to have not one, but two outdoor pools. My mother would give us our admission money and my little brother and I would head down the street hand in hand for a full day of swimming and sunning.

A move to Colorado took away our blessed pool so close. Nearly everyday in the summer my mom would get up at 6:00 am exercise, clean house then devote the rest of the day to us. She would pack up a lunch, all the floaties and we would load up in the car for exotic destinations like Cherry Creek Resevoir and Chatfield Resvoir.

When my boys and Ladybug were little we went to Eagle Island State Park everyday in order to keep the house quiet for their night working daddy. Later we went to Roaring Springs and then my parents pool across the street. These days, the parents have moved and the boys are older. A suggestion of "Would you like to go to the 'rez'?" would be met with protests. What teenage boy wants to hang out with mom? So, Ladybug and I hole up in the air conditioning reading books and watching movies and remembering a life that used to be a lot more fun.

What do you do to stay cool?