What We're Eating
Man, I'd love to say that this was the month that I finally pulled my shit together and started taking my wifely cooking duties seriously, but, alas, I cannot. Doesn't mean I haven't been eating, though, actually; I've had a few really good salads from local businesses, including one from the refrigerated deli section at the Hellmouth, which, surprises me just as much as it surprises you. It was a combination of tart green apple, turkey, raisins, walnuts and blue cheese on a bed of lettuce, drizzled with creamy sweet onion vinaigrette.
The chef salad I had from an actual deli, deli was really good as well, too. It came with a slice of fresh baked bread that was so good, I bought an entire loaf from the Day-Old section of the restaurant.
Speaking of salads; I made a pretty decent semi-Mediterranean salad for dinner one night, so, my wifely cooking duties weren't completely abandoned this month (Hugh just side-eyed that statement, I'm sure).
But, we have eaten out a lot, with Mexican featuring heavily in the rotation. You can't go wrong with a good Chimichanga, though, so no complaints here. Plus, we are doing our part to keep a local, family-owned restaurant in business, and that's really important right now.
What I'm Reminiscing About
For the first time in 99 years, my hometown was without the annual Stampede celebration. Obviously, I haven't been attending the event for 99 years, but, I can say that, in my almost 52 years on this planet, I have missed the celebration only a handful of times, and that includes when I was a kid and we traveled with a competitive swim team and had "away meets" that conflicted. My own kids have missed Stampede only twice, and, this year, they are feeling the loss every bit as much as I am.
No parade. No rodeo. No boot scoot boogie to a country western band. No sketchy carnival rides. No funnel cakes, twisty taters, jumbo corn dogs, or giant bags of kettle corn. No visiting with old classmates or relatives from afar. No Smokin' Charlie...ok, maybe I won't miss Smokin' Charlie...still...so sad. I'm crossing my fingers here when I say; it's ok, there'll always be next year.
Smokin' Charlie, the thing that children's nightmares are made of...
I'm also reminiscing about my days as both a lifeguard and the Aquatics Manager at the pool back in Mayberry. Some of my best days were spent at that pool, and, last week, they tore it down to make way for a new event center.
One of my former staff tagged me and the rest of our crew in a post on Facebook and we have had the best time commenting and replying to comments about the pool; about our days there, the ghost that lived there (true story), all of our wild and crazy schemes, and the people who came and went.
I learned to swim there. I taught Queen B to swim there. Some of my best childhood memories involve being on the swim team that bore the name of the pool. It was there that I had my first-and only-run in with the police (long story involving a group of us lifeguards taking a late-night swim that wasn't exactly approved by our boss), and, it was there that I learned how to be a manager of people, and not just a "boss".
I loved that pool and I was so sad to see it go. Sigh. Moving on...
What I'm Loving
Recently, Queen B was approached by a photographer who was interested in photographing her for use in her portfolio. The pictures turned out great and, now, I kinda have a little talent envy.
I'm also loving the fact that I was finally able to grow a tomato. Not just any tomato, but a Big Boy. It's the first time that I've had one grow and ripen without getting blossom rot, and, I managed it by amending the soil in the planter with dry milk. That's right; dry milk. Apparently, blossom rot is caused by a lack of calcium in the soil, and, a little sprinkling of Carnation fixed that problem right up. Who would have thought?
Also high on the list of lovable things are the lilies that have been blooming in my flowerbeds. I cut a bunch of them for the porch and the fragrance is so intoxicating, I wish you could smell it just by looking at these pictures.
What We've Been Up To
Let's see...ran my first ever golf tournament. Killed it!
Provided moral support while Erin found the perfect wedding dress!
Finally busted out the giant pool unicorn that I got for Mother's Day!
Became partially proficient on our new paddle boards!
What I'm Working On
I'm working on advocating for myself and my needs. This isn't something that I am very good at. I rock at advocating for my kids, my friends, my staff, clients at work, strangers on the street...everyone but myself. That needs to change, and, only I can see to it that it does.
What I'm Dreading
The Man-Cub returns to Hawaii on the 10th of August. His school has decided to go back to in-person instruction, which, is a much better fit for the Cub. But, that doesn't mean that I feel 100% great about it. It's hard enough sending him thousands of miles away in a normal year, throwing in a pandemic just ups the anxiety. Considerably.
What I'm Excited About
Hmmm..I honestly have a hard time drumming up a feeling of excitement about much of anything these days. I keep trying. I want to be excited for another successful year at school for the Cub. I want to be excited that Queen B is considering a move to a new place. I would love to be excited about the fall, and Halloween, and Christmas, and all of the things that I can usually muster up some excitement for at this point in the waning days of the summer, but...not there just yet.
I'll keep trying.
What I'm Watching
I've seen some pretty good stuff on Netflix, recently.
Zac Efron's Down to Earth was really interesting and informative.
I also subscribed to Apple TV just long enough to watch Chris Evans in Defending Jacob. It's based on a book by William Landay that I read some time ago, and, it was really well done. Plus, you can't go wrong with Captain America, even when he isn't being Captain America.
What I'm Reading
Oh my goodness, y'all! I actually read a book this month! For pleasure! I finished it in two days and I enjoyed every page! This is such a monumental accomplishment for me, I can't even begin to explain it. For a proud bookworm, I have been seriously lacking in the reading for pleasure realm, and, I'm really making an effort to change that. Thank goodness for Elin Hildebrand and her annual summer offering.
Plenty of bloggers have reviewed 28 Summers, and, far better than I ever could, so please feel free to Google that shit.. suffice it to say; I loved it, and, highly, highly recommend it.
What I'm Listening To
This song by Avenue Beat pretty much sums it up.
What I'm Wearing
I have nothing new to report on this front. I continue to choose the most comfortable things that I have in my wardrobe on the daily. I am paralyzed by the number of decisions I have to make on a daily basis right now, and, what to wear falls to the very bottom of the priority list.
What We're Doing This Weekend
I am making a quick trip down to Mayberry. I usually go this time of year (see above: Stampede) and have been yearning for a taste of home. While we are there, I am also going to get to see Phoebe and Reese! Seeing them will almost make up for not getting a Girl's Weekend this summer. Almost.
What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month
I am looking forward to not having to do five grant reports, two grant applications, and a golf tournament. July at New Job sucked even more than February through June at New Job sucked, and, that's saying a lot.
What Else Is New
It's not new, but, it pretty much sums it up life lately.
Anyone else?
Your post made me smile because we have the same current feels on pretty much every damn thing.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that New Job is still so stressful. Ugh. Those lilies are beautiful though. I can smell them from here :)
ReplyDelete