School's Out For Summer

It's official.....I am out for summer break! Let the Top Ten List activities begin......

Friday afternoon I worked toward one of my Top Ten Summer activities. I had my first "private knitting lesson" at Yarnivore. (Thank you for your patience, Wendy!) I remembered A LOT more than I thought I would. We reviewed "casting on," "knit," "pearl," and "binding off." I purchased some beautiful yarn for my summer scarf project. I am going to try my best to be forgiving of myself and keep on knitting despite any inevitable mistakes I might make.
Scratch the 5K! I tried to run the other day and it is just a fact: I DO NOT ENJOY RUNNING! I admire (immensely) those that do enjoy running. I simply am just not one of those people. I have tried to be "that person"....but there is no point in denying my true nature any longer. I simply am NOT a runner. Turns out that "old guy" I went on some dates with was, in fact, correct. "Of course you don't like running....look at your body! It simply wasn't made for running!" (Oh yes, he said it. It was our last date!)

This is my friend, Bubba. I had the privilege of spending Saturday morning with Bubba. He is a rock star. (I wonder if he knows?) I have NEVER seen a dog command more attention than Bubba; and he handles it with absolute "dog grace!"

On our "day of fun" we visited the Farmer's Market at The Pearl Brewery. I purchased red and yellow tomatoes (roasted this evening and threw in whole wheat pasta...YUMMY!) and strawberries (tarty tart tart). Bubba and I walked down to the San Antonio river and despite some MAJOR trepidation on his part he gingerly walked into the water and (as you can tell) made himself very comfortable!

We enjoyed lunch on the patio at The Cove. The Cove is pet friendly and they will even go so far as to bring a bowl of water to your dog! With so few pet friendly activities and establishments in San Antonio....Saturday morning was a breath of fresh air!

I am going to sign off because I am completely engrossed in "Housewives" drama. Ugh...I always intend to turn the television off and I JUST CAN'T!

Summertime Blues

This morning I was awakened to the following text message (thank you friend for sending it at 6:15 am...no, really, thank you):

Life becomes precious and more special to us when we look for the little everyday miracles and get excited about the privileges of simply being human.

This reminded me a lot of the purpose of this blog and inspired me to get to typin' today!

I have two more days left on my contract before I am off for summer break. I will be "on vacation" from exactly June 11-August 11. Every year I anxiously anticipate the "last day of school" and every year I also fear the excessive amounts free time.

By nature I am a "thinker," a "ruminator," a "perseverator." I can hardly blame myself...I am certain I descend from a long, long, long line of females that over-think, over-analyze and over-feel! (You all know who you are....just own it.) When left to my own devices with limitless free time things can DEFINITELY get ugly. I speak from loads and loads of summers (approximately 29...give or take a few from pre-school years).

This summer I refuse to fall victim to the "too much time on my hands summer time blues." In prevention I am creating a "Top Ten Things To Do This Summer" list. I figure if I create activities to complete, and send it out to the world wide web, not only will I hold myself accountable...but you will hold me accountable, too.

1) Knit (at least) one scarf. I have a private lesson this coming Friday and I am excited to revisit "casting on and off," "knitting" and this time I WILL "pearl" as well!

2) Clean out my closet and donate clothes I have not worn in a year. That is the standard I intend to hold myself to...ONE YEAR! (This is going to be very difficult.)

3) I will take a dip in Barton Springs (hopefully next week)!

4) I will create AT MINIMUM 10 vintage greeting cards. I have a small fortune in paper crafting goods and tools and I need to use them.

5) I will re-upholster two arm chairs that were given to me by Jace's mother. (Oh the drama of choosing THE RIGHT fabric.)

6) I will master the art of the perfect pie crust.

7) At least one hour per week will be spent in service to someone else.

8) At least four hours per week will be spent in study of the Bible.

9) I will prepare for a 5K (in October or November)...I know this isn't much...but it is a good start and I really do not care for running. What the heck....I need a good challenge.

10) I will deal with the backyard...I really will!

Okay....now it is "out there." I ask that each of you remind me of the "to-do" list (but be nice!) and check in on my progress from time to time. I fully intend to report on each of these, share photos, stories, etc. Some of you might even get lucky and be invited to "pie!"

Happy afternoon, dear friends. I am off to Bible Study.....

Phone Calls from the West

Today I celebrate two telephone conversations! I was able to reconnect with two family members and feel so blessed to have had two honest, meaningful conversations. Feeling very humbled and vulnerable, these two conversations were wonderful panacea for an otherwise "blah" few days. You know who you are and I love you both!