Happy Friday, friends! I'm linking up with Joyce again today for her fun weekly hodgepodge link party. I'll jump right in!
1. Summer officially begins this week (in the Northern hemisphere)...what was your favorite thing to do in the summer as a kid? What do you like most about summer now? Without a doubt, my favorite thing to do in the summers as a kid was to stay out late hanging with my friends. I had a group from church that I ran with as a teenager; we would always be together swimming, riding three wheelers (yes, three not four), going to concerts, going to the amusement park we used to have in Memphis called Liberty Land, going to Adventure River (the water park that we had), and watching movies at the drive-in. You would have always found me with Stacy, Amanda, (later on) Phaedra, Brad, Craig, Chad, Nathan, Chris, Scott, David, and Robin. We traveled to church camps together, some of us became couples for a brief stint in time, but mostly, we just stuck together like glue...or like thighs in shorts stuck on a vinyl bench seat at the local Pizza Hut.
Nowadays I like the vacation time and days spent near a body of water...any body of water, not just a beach. I like having a tan, and I like the longer, lazier days that are more prevalent at this time of year. I guess they call them the dog days of summer for that reason? I have to say that this is one reason I'm looking forward to changing jobs, so that I can have summers off.
2. Something you'll celebrate this summer? I'll celebrate my first official year of being on my own this summer...this coming Sunday, actually. I know that sounds weird, but it was a long year of lots of ups and downs. I'm looking forward to putting the past in the past and it staying there, and moving on with my new joyful life. Additionally I'll celebrate my sister Lisa's birthday, the would-be birthday of my niece Ashley who lives in Heaven, and my twin great nieces turning five.
3. Summer tastes like? Smells like? Sounds like? Summer tastes fruity flavored drinks to me. It smells like sunscreen and coconut scented after-sun body lotion. Summer sounds like waves, loud music with calypso drums, Kenny Chesney, eighties songs, and windows down in my car.
4. June 18th is National Splurge Day...what's the last thing you splurged on? What might you splurge on today? I splurged on a new Kindle last week that I love! I'm thinking of splurging on an Apple watch for myself; I've finally come around to wanting one in my life; I don't know that I'll do this today, but I feel it coming on soon.
5. Share a favorite summer quote, saying, song lyric, or meme. "Everything good, everything magical, happens between the months of June and August." -- Jenny Han, author of The Summer I Turned Pretty.
6. Insert your own random thought here. I have a new favorite song! This one is Oh My Soul by Toby Mac and Cece Winans.
I can't wait to read your answers to these prompts! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Love to all!
Jenn ❤️
You nailed the taste/smell/sounds! I think that's why I had picked teaching as a profession to start; I mean I LOVED school and would have happily been a forever student myself but getting to live that teacher life and have summers off sounded amazing. Your hydrangeas are so pretty! Mine have some tiny green buds starting so hopefully in the next few weeks they'll burst into bloom.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It's true; I smell, taste, or hear those things, and I long for summer. I totally get picking that profession for that reason. Thank you! The picture is from last year; there are no blooms on them this year yet. They may not bloom this year! I have a love/hate relationship with them, because they may do great for a few weeks, then they change and are an eyesore for the rest of the summer. I'll take any tips you have!
DeleteAgree with Joanne! That was my initial reaction after reading your answer to that question, lol. Your summers with friends sound like they were so much fun. You captured well the excitement and fun of those days and how wonderful to have those memories to look back on and cherish. I love that you will celebrate and not mourn your new normal that occurred because of what happened almost a year ago. You had no choice over the change and so you did the best you could and the only things you could do- you trusted God, you put one foot in front of the other each day, you were there for your boys, you leaned on your friends/ family and ultimately, you realized how strong you are. Lots of hugs as you anticipate this milestone and all the emotions that accompany it. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I wasn't even thinking of that time a year ago almost when I wrote this; it's a wonder I can still feel the same about this time of year, right? God has been so good to me, though, and it's all because of Him that I am who I am today and loving this new life He has given to me. Lots of love, sweet friend!
DeleteSo, what will you do to mark Sunday? I think you should do something alone for part of the day. What about taking your kindle to an outdoor patio and getting yourself a glass of champange and maybe even journaling a bit? Then, you could have any friends who have stood by you meet you after you have been there for a bit. I'm so proud of you!
ReplyDeleteI kind of forgot that Sunday was coming up. I'll go to church for sure, and after that, I don't know. I do like your idea of doing those things; I just might do that! Thank you for those sweet words, my friend. You've been a huge cheerleader for me this last year! I could never adequately express what that means to me. xoxo
DeleteOk I am stealing that quote- LOVE IT. Loved reading about your childhood summer memories- they sound like pure joy. I agree on the body of water but I do prefer the ocean. Don't get me wrong- I will jump in a pool or lake anytime too!
ReplyDeleteI love it too! Did you watch that series on Prime? Season 3 (the final season) comes out in July! You've got to watch it, if you haven't. Thanks for that! I will take any body of water I can get; I love it all!
DeleteI also agree with Joanne! We need to make sure we go by Sonic again this summer for a drink. Also, remind me to tell you about my Apple Watch.
ReplyDeleteYes!! We need to make this a regular event. Okay! After I wrote this, I met someone yesterday who has a Whoop band- have you heard of that? It's a fitness thing without the face of a smart watch. I'm intrigued!
DeleteAhh! The summer memories. It sounds like you had a fantastic time as a teenager.
ReplyDeleteThat is good that you can put the past year behind you, it is something to celebrate!
I know! Such fun times, right? Thank you, friend!
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