We started off going to NC in early July to see my friend Barbara. This was the "cards group" trip. Great times, lots of laughs. We have fun doing the littlest things. It was a trip of some serendipity, especially the last night as we found one of those summer free concerts at this nice little plaza and a seat right in front of it. And then there was the long and winding road to the casino! Laughed sooooo hard having to sit in the way back swaying to the curvy road...and then on the return journey that stinking GPS sent us off road! I was banging my head on the window saying: "Let me out!"
Next was the 4th of July. My cousin Michael came to visit and we did a crazy circle of downtown Albany music, up to walk around Broadway in Saratoga, then back to downtown for the awesome fireworks! Now I know some people complained that we never had summer weather, but distinctly remember the weather on July 5 being exquisite. I weeded a lot that day and later went to Christine's for BBQ!
Then, a few days after that lovely trip and the 4th, my cousin Charlene came to visit. She comes up from Texas every year. We don't do anything special, but we did get to the Joseph Popp butterfly conservatory in Oneonta. Very magical. Checked out antiques, hung out at mom's eating junk food and watching TV. "Munchin' Out" just like when she came to visit in 1979...somethings never change! :)
There was a break in the action while the weather took a turn for the good. The temerature rose and the sun came out. I worked hard to keep my yard pretty. Inside I stuck with cleaning and got the upstairs to trully look like a house.
Hey! I even cooked! This is one of my favorite dishes: Gnocchi and Zuccheni is parsley brown butter! Yummy!
Michael returned to Albany and we went to watch the Giants at training camp. Funny how small they look without their gear and from a distance. They were just running drills, but it was still neat to see behind the scenes. That day we went to Saratoga. Mike's first time at the races. We both won! Not a lot, but still, lots of fun!!!!
Time passes....and Mervi and Milla came for their two week visit! What a nice time! It'd only been 2 years since we'd seen each other, but 10 since Mervi had been to the US and a first for Milla. We did some big things like NYC and Niagara Falls, and some little things like the pet stroe and the movie "G-Force". And we had a BBQ, which was cool coz Mervi got to meet some of my friends.
After the girls left I still had two weeks of vacation left! What a blessing. There are many who don't get that time off in the whole year. And they deserve it. The inequity of vacation time in the US is sad. I know I am lucky and trully blessed to have time to reenergize. Milla actually has even more time off during the school year than me! So I do tire of the argument kids in the US need more time at school. Quality, not quantity.
Last week we had our annual golf tournament. Didn't do so great as a best ball team, though Mary and I did have some really nice shots. We were up against Gail and Shirley and that disarmed us. We did have fun and that's the point.
A few days ago Mom came out for a few days. Didn't do much...but we made some high quality zuccheni bread (with cranberries and chocolate chips)! And back to her house we cleaned her bedroom and moved the bed to have the headboard face east which I think is the proper placement for her Feng Shui. I was all worried about it. she'd had her headboard at south for 41 years!!!!! 41 years without a move and then I upset the apple cart. But the next morning I called her and guess what? She'd slept well! :) YAY!
So here I am! Im-ing with Dana while I am writing this (which is why it holds a ghastly quality)! Thinking about the math I need to have focused for the year....drinking too much coffee...making plans for how fall will be new, different, productive.
And feeling blissful and thankful for my family, friends, health, job, fortune (which isn't money...duh) and outlook!
