Oh yeah, I have a blog!

 Summer proves both delightful and challenging for me, and for the same reason: the lack of routine. During the school year, my alarm is set for 5:15 and I'm good about getting up when it goes off. Most of that time it's dark because we live in Ohio. I enjoy the quiet, laugh to myself about having to share the single bathroom with three other people in the house where I grew up and delight that I don't have to do that here, and then I get both my quiet devotional time and my 15 minutes of yoga in before other people start rolling out of bed. While it's early, I crave that time and that quiet because afterwards it's anything goes! I might be called in to sub, a kid could miss the bus and would need a ride, someone else might need dropped off at class elsewhere, errands might need run, and so forth. Just life. Nothing seemingly stellar or amazing, but if I don't get that quiet stuff done first, all day long I feel behind and slightly aggravated that I "threw off my groove," to quote one of our family's favorite movies, "The Emperor's New Groove". In summer, there's no need to get up early because there's no bus to catch or school to help out, so I don't set an alarm. Consequently, I wake up all over the place timewise and it's been making me crabby because I feel like half the day is gone and I've accomplished nothing. I guess that's why our identity isn't supposed to be tied up in our occupation or what we do to make money. We are human beings, not human doings. 

Our weather systems have just been parking and idling and playing havoc with allergies, sinuses, headaches, and I don't just mean me. It hasn't really cooled down at night so we haven't opened windows to air out the house and it hasn't rained enough to matter for what feels like weeks. The predicted rain seems to continue to not materialize despite my weather app showing more rain clouds than not. The poor dogs are SO hot, Honey especially. I've tried opening windows first thing, but as first thing isn't as early as it would be 9 months of the year, I got a faceful of "soup" (humidity) so the window got shut pretty fast. I know it won't last forever, and I despise being cold, so I'm trying to not let it get to me, but it irritates me to be boiling outside and then freezing inside because of the AC. Yes, I know it's a #FirstWorldProblem and there are people with actual hardships out there, but as my blog is free therapy, I may as well get my money's worth. Wait...

I've been telling Dada that this summer of 2025 is my Summer of Pout. Not much is looking like I expected it to look by this point in the year. I assumed (ha, there's my first problem) that with the end of the stereotypical cancer treatment that I'd get to go on my merry way, maybe with some new longterm meds, but otherwise unscathed. 

Fool.

I didn't count on my right arm measurements landing me in a compression sleeve during tank top season. I didn't anticipate wearing a rash guard on vacation and not soaking up every available sunbeam to help get me through Ohio winters (because that's seriously how my brain works- I am solar powered!) I also didn't foresee having the rest of my lady parts being evicted and starting menopause for real, having already been in chemically induced menopause from chemo. Twice. And because the eviction is surgical and not magical, that means no baths or getting in any bodies of water for swimming for the rest of the summer, essentially, as our pool closes when school starts. I wasn't allowed in until my radiation blasted skin healed and now I won't be allowed back in. Another #FirstWorldProblem, but definitely a contributor to the Summer of Pout. I don't even get in a lot of the time normally, but now it's the "I can't" factor.

Also, high protein diet yet again to prep stores for healing after surgery, and no alcohol. Why do I only want it when I can't have it? 95% of the time I'd take ice cream over a fun drink, yet here we are again needing to abstain medically. Yes, I KNOW it's actually a poison and isn't good for anybody anyway, but I have a six pack of those fun, colorful Smirnoffs and I just want one. Grrr. *sigh*  #FirstWorldProblems!

With the lady parts eviction comes the "no driving" mandate until I feel better and am off any heavy painkillers, which I don't even want to start taking, so of course that's when band practices start up. Would you believe that there are already SCHOOL SUPPLIES in stores?! I don't want to talk about it. I want to kick something. Like a box of school supplies or something. It is not even the middle of July!

Now that I sound like a total Debbie Downer or Negative Nancy, let's pivot to the blessings. 

We had a lovely vacation in OBX again and there will be post(s) about the ocean and all that. We got quality time with my brother who hadn't joined us there the past few years. The sweet old man dog at the beach house is still alive and kicking and will still smile over his shoulder at you when you give him butt scratches. The young pup will play until she drops and was also happy to see us. We missed my aunt who was traveling on her own adventures at the same time, but enjoyed all the talks and time with my wise uncle who gives fantastic hugs. My great aunt, who will be 96 at the end of this month, is also holding her own and we had a few hilarious visits with her. I want to be back there already.

We have gone to the pool a handful of times and I've gotten in once to float along the lazy river. In my rash guard. But hey, I got to get in! Maybe next year will be better. 

Thing Three had his annual Dr Jon appt and he's doing really well. All our kids are string beans, so he weighed in at 113# and 5'8 and 3/4". He's freshly 15 and is all limbs and feet. He's changed so much just in the year since Thing Two's graduation that my brother thought he WAS Thing Two when he first saw him. Completely cracked me up.

Thing Two has been improving with the driving practices. Still unsure about what this fall holds for him school and workwise. Sometimes life is TBD!

Thing One has met an online friend in real life, which is always an adventure, and they've been hanging out a good bit. I know a lot of art is happening! 

I'm thankful that my arm measurements were trending back down closer to my normal and that I never made it into the actual red zone for lymphedema. I'm back in the green, but just by a hair, so the recommendation was to keep the compression sleeve on and do some exercises. The sleeve in summer is a right pain in the butt, but I do know that it's to help and not frustrate me. I'm trying to get back into my yoga and quiet time routine because downward dog and child's pose and so forth are exactly the stretches recommended. Two birds, one stone, etc.

I'm thankful we have a home. It's easy to take for granted until you see footage of Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan or the floods in Texas or whatever the next disaster is that rolls in. Trying to be thankful when things are going like they do everyday, not just when something big happens. Or doesn't!

I'm grateful for my "elite of husbands" and the time he's taken to haul me around to all these appointments. He has every right to be crabby as they're cramping our style, but he cheerfully escorts me around and I don't know what I'd do without him. Love you, babe.

I'm excited to have breakfast with some girlfriends on Monday morning. That should be a thing. Everyone should get breakfast with their friends on a Monday morning! I bet attitude and productivity would improve across the board.

I'll try to not let it be a month before I blog again. We are doing well. Thanks for checking in! If you want something to pray for, please ask for the surgery to go textbook smoothly with no complications, no infections, etc. We appreciate it. I'll keep you posted.

I'll end with a joke Thing Three told me:

What's the difference between a snow man and a snow woman?

More summer Shenaniganery

Aunt Sherri and Uncle Tom like to join us for the fair, and since he's a pilot he can fly them here to the local airport and we pick them up. While Dada ran to get them, I rallied the troops to get ready from here. Someone decided it'd be a good idea to stretch out while he waited, and promptly fell asleep on our bed. By the time I get two of the three Things ready, I lose the third. Can NOT keep my ducks in a row...

Got that kid up, everyone into the car, grabbed Tino, and off we went!

Since the kid is 13 now, we figured that's old enough for him to have a ride wristband and run around and wear himself out. He had a BALL and rode nonstop in between us checking on him. So many rides and circles and spins and dips and doodles that he eventually had to crash onto a picnic table's bench with an "ohhhhhhhh, that was too many at once!"

He's in the florescent shorts on the right side.

Tino enjoyed the outing and voted this goat Best Dressed.

Sadly, we didn't get to keep them and had to return them to the airport.

This is not the same time frame, but I came down with a whole basket of toasty dog towels fresh from the dryer and Dada intercepted with an, "ooooooooh! Give 'em here!!!" He proceeded to drape them over himself and headed off into Dreamland. I told him he was responsible for putting them away. He had a nice nap and did a good job!

This cloud performed the perfect imitation of a cotton ball. I was dodging traffic on our walk so by the time I got a decent shot of it, it had experienced some decomposition, but it had been so cute!

Some sweet friends of ours stayed one night after dropping their kiddo off at college. It's always so good to see them and we're looking forward to way more of it! Dada got to hang out with them, too, but had to leave earlier for a work meeting so he missed our photo op.

Yes, my children, it is yet another picture of the sky.

PaPa came out to visit for a few days so we had to take him to the pool! He started a splashing battle where he proceeded to get ganged up on, but otherwise I think he had a good time. He hopefully got some decent photos of Thing Three backflipping off the diving board. Love to have some fun in the sun! Sad that our pool is closed for the year now. I know there'd be an awful lot of moms willing to celebrate kids being back in school!

 

Road trip!

Apologies as this is also not the Scotland post, but as I'm trying to blog photos so I can get them off my phone, you're stuck with it, haha. 

Thing Three finished school May 31 and as soon as he got home, we popped him into the car with Dada, Thing Two, and myself because Thing One had to work and relished the idea of staying home, watching the dogs, holding down the fort, etc. 

First things first, for a road trip you need some essentials; your GPS/map/atlas, your water bottles, "Road Trip Chips" which are Pringles- specifically the Sour Cream and Onion ones though I also grabbed a canister of cheesy ones- and a jar of Goober or imitation goober. You know the stuff- it has both jelly and peanut butter in stripes in the same jar. Grab a bag of buns and a plastic knife and you're all set for quicker rest stops and easy car food to stuff into your face, thus spending less money on vending machines or fast food. Unless you're Liam, who refuses to eat Goober because he insists you don't stir it. In which case it utterly destroys your bread by being unspreadable. Anyway...

I SWEAR we are all turning into Star Trek's Borg. Everybody wears ear buds anymore/anywhere, but I have to say that they do cut down on the backseat squabbles.

We stayed that first night in Lexington, KY because that was about halfway to where we were headed in Georgia. One of Dada's friends recommended the hotel area and we heard good things about the Double Dogs restaurant so we checked it out and gave it 8 thumbs up. We especially liked the "sit, stay, eat" motto. And that dogs were welcome!

 

This is Mr. Darcy, who became one of our bestest buddies almost instantly. Yes, I took multiple photos of him as well but will spare you from his irresistible cuteness overload.

We made it safely to our destination on June 1 and were welcomed with open arms by our friends whom we hadn't seen since 2016 or 2017. Their two biggest kids were both off in separate states with summer jobs, so we had the stair steps of our Thing Two, their Thing Three, their Thing Four, and our Thing Three, haha. They all got along really well and Damon missed them sorely once we were back home.

We did a bit of running around, seeing sights, eating ice cream, goofing off as well as time in their pool and on their porch. Their property is gorgeous and we had so much fun catching up.

Even saw my first Summer Tanager, who was attacking a wasp nest just under this railing. Brave little birdie!

This Honeybee Festival even featured a country music concert, which, as you can see from Liam's face, was absolutely right up his alley. He is my child. It was a fun evening of meandering around and checking out wares anyhow. 

We also took a trip into Chattanooga for more eating and sight seeing and general Shenaniganery. 

Bridge over the Tennessee River. I apologize that I don't know which bridge it is, but it isn't far from the Tennessee Aquarium.

We went to the Yellow Deli in Chattanooga and all eight of us had amazing meals. Everyone was completely delighted with the food, the decor, the breezy outside porch, all of it. Definitely check it out if you are in Chattagnooga! You can learn more about it here (and it will open in a new window.) Liam ordered Belgian waffles and when I looked over, he had demolished it. LIAM! The world's slowest eater. He ordered another round!

Our friends took us to Walker Rocks which immediately felt like camp. We had a wonderful hike and I, of course, took bajillions of pictures. I'll share only a few, I promise. 

Because everyone needs a photo of a dead armadillo. It's the only one I've come across in the wild. Sad.

My first Georgia flat-backed millipede. I have a bug ID app!

And the Damonater is now a full-fledged teenager, turning 13 whilst we were in Georgia. So more ice cream and cake. And someone learned a valuable lesson: don't eat an entire bag of blue Taquis in a single sitting. 

We were so sad to leave and hope very much that it isn't another 6+ years before we see them again! Made it home safe on the 6th in time to unpack, do laundry, repack, prep the kids and house for our Scotland trip. We left June 8. 

To be continued!

 

Another random rundown (not the Scotland post)

 

He's waiting to go to the pool. And waiiiiting. And waaaaiiiiting.

I finally was home long enough to get my cold weather clothes out of the closet and drawers so that the summer things could fit in. I was tired of hunting through boxes for the outfit I was looking for, but we left for a trip as soon as Damon got home from school, came home almost a week later only to unpack and repack for the Scotland trip and got back from that to go to the wedding. My clothes had been in boxes tossed on a chair and it was driving me crazy! Now that I'm reorganized I can breathe a little better and find my sundresses, which is a big win!

Weather has been all over the place lately, but we had a beautiful sky the other evening. Last night it stormed and Honey was most unhappy, but thankfully it was over before midnight so we all got some sleep. 

Looks like more storms today so we'll tackle stuff we've put off or not been home to do and enjoy not watering the garden. I was weeding yesterday and got eaten alive. Not a fan. Must remember to put on bug spray before venturing outdoors! I blame no-see-ums. The bites aren't all mosquitoes- they're somebuggy small enough to chomp me under my watch band and I've no idea how that happened. As soon as I figure it out, I'm going to bite them right back!