I'm scared of summer break

from last summer

To tell you the truth, I'm kind of scared of summer break.

I'm the type of person that needs to be busy. I don't know if I was born that way or if I made myself that way, but having nothing to do is AMAZING - for a week or so. Then, I start to get nervous and antsy and I overeat and feel weird that I'm not scheduled for at least 10 hours each day. Also, I want to be a contributor. My paychecks keep coming all summer, but I still want to use my extra time to contribute a little more financially. Or just to have more money to spend at Target, to which I'll inevitably be making daily trips this summer :)

(Is this normal? Or does it mean I'm some sort of weird, high-stress, type A, can't-relax personality? And the biggest revelation of all - I'M TURNING INTO AN EXACT COPY OF MY DAD.)

So here are the things I want to do this summer. For my sanity, mostly. Also, I sometimes forget that relaxing IS doing something, and I can feel productive about doing things I enjoy.

• read one book a week (that's a minimum of 13 books)
• get a 10ish hour per week small job (I think I almost have one down. But in the meantime - anyone want a private tutor for their kids this summer?)
• exercise 5 times a week (so excited to have more time for this)
• reorganize all cupboards and closets 
• help Jason with merit badges (scouting... yay...)
• finish a few big projects for my classroom next year
• get a good tan, dang it
• go on a few vacations (if I had my way, Sam and I would be touring the U.S. all summer)
• spend more time blogging and building blogging relationships
• lose the last 15 pounds (I'm over halfway there!)

And there you have it. What's on your summer list?

And how crazy am I for not being able to do nothing for too long?
Although, looking at these pictures from last year,
summer might not be so bad after all :)

Indian Summer

We're experiencing an Indian Summer over here. It's been 65+ degrees and gorgeously sunny every day this week. I know it can't last, but I have to admit - it's so nice to have one last beautiful week. {Although doesn't it make the looming winter a bit ominous? Like a snow fury is just waiting until we least expect it to unleash its power or something?} But until it comes - you can find me outside, taking walks and pictures, and loving the sunshine.

Anyone else having an Indian Summer?

And loving it as much as I am?

late summer barbecue

 Oh Labor Day weekend.

It's sneaky, the way it tricks you into thinking summer and sunshine and barbecues are on their way in, not out.

But still, I love it for all its sneaky ways. 

P.S. Notice how the pictures stop as soon as the food comes out. That's how you know it really was me that took these :)

How's your Labor Day weekend so far?

P.S. Room for ONE more lovely lady on my sidebar! Email me .

Beating the Heat: Your 2012 Summer Guide

I don't know about you, but around here

it is HOT.

Also, I don't know about you, but around here

I have a few favorite spaces and places of the Internet.

So I asked some of my leading ladies to share what they're doing this summer to beat the heat.

_____________

Kendra from Little Almanac is essentially where I hope to be in five years. She's so cute, she's so pregnant, and she has a little girl with the cutest eyes and smile. In her words:


"Being 8 months pregnant, chasing an 18 month old, and currently baking in 95 degrees plus humidity, there is only one savior in the sweltering heat for me - the pool! Splish splashing keeps my Evelyn happy and I conveniently get a nice summer glow. It's a win win :) Oh, and maybe a little milkshake here and there helps keep off the heat, too!"

Natasha from The Picablocks, posts about little blocks that make up her life. She always has cute images with her posts, too! In her words:

"Summer is the all-year weather in my country. Here we are trained to live in jacket and long sleeves even when heat wave attacks. But here's a tip : Hit not the pool but waterfall! That should help you to live in the weather, for maybe a little longer. " 

Elisabeth, from La Vita E Bella, is not only one of my best blog friends, but one of my best real-life friends, too. She's always doing something way cool, and summer time means playtime in the form of double dates together! In her words:

I love summer because it makes jumping in cold water feel great! If I could swim (preferably in the atlantic) everyday this summer I'd be happy as a clam. But, being stuck in Utah, I stick with the water parks, icecream, and unlimited popsicles."

Meredith, from All Dressed Up, is who I would choose if I got to raid anyone's closet. She does such a great job pairing colors, and finding cool, modest summer outfits to beat the heat! In her words:

"I beat the heat by 1) Staying inside (take that, weather!) 2) Drinking lots of water 3) Taking dips in the pool on a regular basis and 4) Wearing skirts and dresses-  thank goodness for that drafty breeze!  "

Andrea, from Pics-O-Andrea, is one of the cutest quickly growing blogs out there. She's so cute and pregnant, and she writes about daily life in such a beautiful way, with beautiful pictures to go with it! In her words:

I'm pretty used to hot hot summers, being an Arizona native and all. But this summer is my first hot hot pregnant summer! Not gonna lie, I've spent more time under a fan in my skivvies at home than should be mentioned on the internets. Other ways I've found to beat the summer heat have been to keep a decent stash of Otterpops on hand at all times, and avoiding too many layers of clothing. Layers are cute, but sweat isn't. Good luck beating the heat!"

Daryl, from Roots, Wings and Things, got married just a little bit before I did, and moved across the world to live and travel with her husband in Germany! Talk about cool. Also, she is a picture master, and always has amazing traveling adventures. In her words:

"Under normal circumstances (And by normal circumstances I mean living in my hometown in Southern California) the only way to beat the heat is to throw on a hat, tuck a book under one arm and head to the beach. However since moving to Frankfurt, Germany there's been no need to beat the heat because summer never came! I know, so sad. This photo was taken in the Bavarian alps just last week...it was barely 70 degrees and had just finished raining. I suppose I need to count my blessings...all of this rain is what makes the German countryside so gorgeous!"

Alyx, from Every Day is a New Adventure, is one of my most loyal blog friends. She also has many travel adventures, and always puts a positive and hilarious spin on little everyday happenings. In her words:


"I spend my life half-naked (either at the pool or the lake - get your minds out of the gutter)! That's the number one way to beat the heat."

Comments disabled on this post. 

Instead, pick two or three ladies, go visit their blog, and leave a comment there! 

I dare you :)


_______________


P.S. my heart goes out to the families of these people

the running itch

I've had a serious case of the running itch these days. I want to run. I hurry dinner to catch the last sunlight of the day. I make new running playlists. I map out routes on google earth. I write down race registration dates.

Yup, I'm getting the running itch again.

{images via}

Maybe it's the warm weather.

Maybe it's because I keep thinking about that grieving winter, when I'd run and run and run away from everything. I'd go until I couldn't breathe and my lungs seared and my muscles were on fire and I'd just cry there in that green Oregon mist because no amount of physical pain could take away the pain I felt inside. Almost every day, I would run. That's when running became therapeutic for me, and I think I'm addicted.

I'm up for another race this year. 

Does anyone else have the running itch? 

P.S. My weekend was the best kind of weekends - filled with my favorite people. Old friends, new friends, birthday parties, and a family dinner made it so so great. That and some blessed happy valley sunshine. Bless that sunshine to the bottom of its soul.