It’s summer.. but it doesn’t feel like it!  First off, the weather has been unseasonably cool, damp and WET!  I think we’ve only hit 80 degrees twice all year; we didn’t see the sun two days in a row and it’s July 10th!  The other difference is that I’m working a few days a week this year. I haven’t worked during the summer since I became a teacher (although I’ve taken summer  classes in the past and spending so much time at Patriots Training Camp doing camp reports and podcasts IS like a full time job.)  But  teaching school in the summer is not something that I’ve ever done. From a financial standpoint, it’s a necessary thing this year so it’s not going to kill me to work 3 days a week. I’m actually appreciating this weekend more than normal since I don’t have every day off.

Without getting into much detail, I’ve mentioned that this year has been a rollercoaster ride of medical issues in the family so that’s also taken up time and energy.  Summer is usually the time that I recharge my batteries, get in great shape and do lots of reading and work around the house and yard. My garden is off to a slow start but that’s due to the weather, not the fact that I’m working. I’m hoping to have a nice crop of veges by this time next month.

Catching up… we had a nice 4th of July cookout here and it was the first nice day in a LONG time.  I waited until the last minute to declare it officially ON because we’ve definitely outgrown our house in terms of entertaining at this point. We barely even fit in the yard!  Luckily, the weather was perfect so people were able to spread out and use the yard, pool, and porch.

Tomorrow is the big annual family picnic for Al’s family and it looks like the weather will be nice too.. yippee!!  I’m going to have to watch it though and not sit around the pastry table with with other ladies since I’m committed to continue with my weight loss. (Of course I have extra padding that I could stand to lose but the main reason why is because I’m trying to avoid going on cholesterol medication and my doctor is going to recheck it  in the fall after I’ve lost more weight.) I don’t take any medication and will try to avoid it at all costs.  Of course, if after losing weight it’s still high, I’ll have no choice because the alternative of increased risk factors for heart disease is not acceptable.

Something else that’s different is my hairstyle.  I had decided that I would cut it this summer when it was long enough to donate to Locks of Love and it reached the required 10 inches so off it came. I’m not used to blow drying my hair so I’ll have to add that into my routine in the morning (no more sopping wet ponytails heading out the door for school) but I’m sure it won’t take me long to work it out. I’m happy with the cut and even more happy that someone else can benefit from something that I can pass on. :-)

So while some things are different, like my schedule, the fact that I won’t be attending every Training Camp session, and my look, there are plenty of things that will remain constant: spending time with my family and furry girls, reading as much as I can, enjoying nature and being thankful that I’m able to be in my favorite place as much as I can… home!