Am I right?
I mentioned a scent that I associate with summer in the original post and I'm still loving it as much now as I did then. My skin is always so dry and I love that in these warmer months, the sun helps with some of the dry and itchy-ness. I seem to reach for lotion more frequently during this time of year than at any other, though I am trying to be better at that all year long. I bought some new lotion from Amazon that I love, one that is for after you've been out in the sun. It's a whipped texture, but it's so creamy and smells so good. I've gotten compliments on smelling good ever since I've been using it.
I'm still loving reading all the summer books. It's no secret that I love to read all year, but with the exception of Christmas books, summer beach reads are HANDS DOWN my favorite books to read of all time. I have read some great books this summer! A couple of them have made them into my top favorites of the year so far and I could see them going all the way through the end of the year.
Here are the posts talking about what I've read so far this summer. I may or may not have an upcoming trip planned based on some summer reading. That's the thing about reading beach reads—books can take you to places you'd otherwise only dream about. Yes, I am a bookworm and proud of the fact.
June.
May.
I've still been on a bright color kick in my outfits and in my nail choices. The brighter it is, the more I love it, which is so unusual for me! That being said, I'm ready to move on, starting with the next time I go to get my nails done. I'll be getting a version of white when I go back and keep them that way until September, then I'll switch to darker shades. Have I mentioned how much I love fall? We're coming up to my favorite months of the year, the ones that end in b-e-r. I'm so excited to even think about it, even if the weather doesn't change. Come September 1, it'll officially be "fall" in our house. In October, I'll pull out some Halloween things, then I'll leave the other fall decorations out until I decorate for Christmas, which will probably be the second week in November. My heart actually just skipped a beat in actual excitement.
The other thing I'm "over" with for the summer, aside from the humidity and high heat, is the traffic in our area. It's so much more crowded in the summer months, when school is out. I am happy for the students and my teacher friends that they're enjoying summer and out on a break, but by this time of year every summer, I'm ready for some more routine and structure. That being said, I can honestly say that I've enjoyed this summer more than any other that I can remember in a long time. I'm not sure why that is, and haven't taken the time to try to figure out the why behind the different mindset I've had this year. Maybe it's just that—while in some ways, I've tried to keep it simpler this summer, in other ways I've just tried to be more present in whatever I've done.
I can say that it's felt good to have made it past the one year mark of having a son out on his own. That anniversary came early in July for Drew and the one year date of him moving out on his own. It's been a good year for him in some ways, because it's taught him responsibility and money management, but in other ways, it's been a hard year for him, with some hard lessons he's had to learn. So much has changed in that year and the dynamic of our family and how it works is so vastly different than just a short year ago. Holidays look different, weekly dinners look different and I just don't see him as often as I'd prefer, though that is a good thing for him. The whole "parenting adult kids" is not for the faint of heart. I feel like things are always changing for our family! It's enough to keep my head spinning sometimes.
I've read some of your posts lately on what you've been doing all summer and I've loved them! I haven't kept a summer bucket list since our sons were little, but I love the idea of doing that. Consider this my own version of some of those types of posts. 😉 Thanks for reading my blog, friends. Love to all!
Does your area get a lot of tourists? Is that why there's more traffic? Or is it because school is out and the teens are out and about instead of in school? I enjoyed reading about your updates. I don't make "bucket lists" (I think pre social media/ cell phone cameras/ pinterest, writing down and displaying pictures of bucket lists weren't things people did. But maybe I'm wrong and they were. At any rate, I never jumped on the trend) though I do enjoy reading about others and thinking about my own goals. Have a great day, friend!
ReplyDeleteI think I missed your post from yesterday, so I will read that next. I had to get somewhere early yesterday! I love this kind of stream of consciousness post that many bloggers don't do anymore. I sometimes do a "coffee talk" post and I enjoy just writing my thoughts. I think people like this because you are being real and we all need more real.
ReplyDeleteI just had a thought on my mind for you...
Have you ever thought about substitute teaching at the high school in your area? You could do as many or as few days as you would want. Subs are really needed these days and I just had a thought that you seem to have a positive demeanor that I think high school kids would gravitate toward. You give them their assignment and can read your book. There are some papers to be collected, organized, and some notes to write the teacher.
This might be really weird, but it came to me to mention to you...
We are both in a changing season of life and it's a really weird time, but there is a lot of good, too....
Heading over to read your Tuesday post now... just sitting down to catch up with you. :) I started it last night but then got interrupted. I am loving the summer book reading too!! It's heavenly! I bet with such hot temps you are totally ready for fall. Fall is my favorite, so I am always ready, LOL! I need to get that lotion ordered. I meant to after you last shared it. Happy Wednesday, friend!
ReplyDeleteMaria, this isn't really a touristy area, but there are tons of students. I think it's just because school is out and people are out more during the day. You wouldn't think it would make that much of a difference, but it really does. We have five elementary schools, three middle schools and one GIANT high school. There are TONS of students.
ReplyDeleteI used to do bucket lists with my boys when they were young! We'd all come up with a few fun things we wanted to do each summer. Those were the days when it didn't take much to make them so happy!
Thanks, Amy! I enjoy those kinds of posts as well and lean toward them when I don't know what else to write. I really do enjoy "getting to know" someone and that is what that feels like to me.
ReplyDeleteI did think about that at one time, but I haven't in years. I think you have to have a college degree for this in our area, and I don't have one. I may be getting a part time job, though! I have a shadow day and informal interview one day next week. Thanks for thinking of me! That means so much. ❤
Bri, we speak the same language, my friend!
ReplyDeleteIn our district, you have to have 60 hours of college, but honestly with all of the just plain teacher shortages, they may be changing that! A part time job would be perfect, too!
ReplyDeleteThat's true, Amy- I need to look into it.
ReplyDeleteUGH with traffic! It has to be the top thing that steals my joy and wrecks my attitude far too easily. And it is unavoidable and just non-stop around here!! I've heard it is bad there too. So, the struggle (with my attitude) is almost daily. Some days, I just stay in the house!!:) I'm in serious need of a pedicure and I've never done white. That sounds like a good idea!!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I shouldn't complain. I'm sure your traffic is a million times worse! You know I am the same, attitude-wise. You should try a version of white! Right now they're pinkish-white. I love them and how neutral they are!
ReplyDelete