Perfect Morning

I’ve had what I consider to be the perfect morning. I woke up on my own with no alarm clock and got to lay in bed listening to it rain for a while. Then I got up to get ready for the day and started some laundry. I opened the windows a bit to let in some fresh air. I took my breakfast up to my library and sipped hot chocolate while I read a book. It’s a wet, drizzly, cloudy day and one of my favorite types of weather. I’m very tempted to go for a walk in it. I think I will. 

And Now, September

Yay! Summer is over, even if not quite officially. Even if September 2 doesn’t look or feel any different from August 31. It’s here. Fall will officially be starting soon. 

Peaches are getting ripe and I will soon be eating my fill. I met my sister at the farmer’s market this morning. It was my last time for this year’s summer market. I got a few ears of corn, strawberries, and some dried tart cherries. I figured those would be good for fall/winter. My mom has already given me onions and carrots. I still haven’t been in the mood to cook at all, even though I really need to. Again, cooler weather will be here and soon I can make soup. Ha ha it’s like I feel like fall will solve all the problems. It’s not true, but I seriously love the last 4 months of the year, October and November being the most favorite. 

Random August

I'm very happy to be half way through August. I'm trying to enjoy the last week before the school zone starts up near my house and I have to leave for work on time because of traffic. But I'm ready for hot, dry summer to be over. I'm anticipating fall so badly. I have a few work trips coming up, but in between them I'm going to be loving my favorite season. I know, I know... September isn't really all that different from August in reality but I just don't care. 

I'm trying to think if I've even done anything lately but it seems like life has slowed down a bit now. I'm going to try and get to the farmer's market a few more Saturdays. Peaches are coming on and I want to eat a lot of them. Yum!

Day "Camping"

I am still a little coughy/stuffy nosed but those things sometimes linger. On Saturday, I didn't care and went up to the Uintah's with my sister and her twins. The kids call it camping, even when you don't stay overnight. The temperature was in the high 70's which is probably the warmest I've felt there. We did something new and did the little .5 mile hike to Fehr Lake. It was a nice, easy hike and the view was worth it. We want to go back because there are lakes also at 1 mile and 1.5 miles. A 3 mile loop would be a nice day hike with more of the kids. 

The fish were jumping in the lakes and everywhere there were wildflowers. It was a really nice day.

Summertime Sickness

It's been 100 degrees outside and somehow I got sick. Last Saturday I woke up with a dry throat but didn't think too much of it since I sleep with a fan on and it's just really dry right now. But later in the day I definitely had a sore throat. So it's been 3.5 days and I finally feel like I'm getting over it. I've done almost nothing in those days. I've been working from home and getting only little things done because I just haven't felt very good. Last night I finally slept through the night. 

I think it's only one more night and then fireworks are illegal again. We can light them 3 days before and after the 4th and 24th holidays. We had a nice summer rainstorm on the 24th around 11 which made me happy and I figured the fireworks were over for the night. Nope, they lit them after the rain at 1 am. Fireworks can be fun and pretty and all that but I'm not the biggest fan of them in my neighborhood after 11. 

So yeah, I'm complainy and a little grumpy right now. This is the part of summer I really don't like and my least favorite time of the year. Being sick doesn't help it. One more month to get through, even though September isn't all the better in the beginning, at least it means summer is coming to an end. 

Girl’s Camp

I can’t believe July is half way over. The hot, hot part of the summer is here. I’ve had the week off work for girl’s camp. Earlier this year I very reluctantly said yes to the bishop when he asked me to be camp leader. Part of it had already been planned out but I worked on planning the rest of it and started going to YW activities when I could. Truth be told I was dreading it a lot. I still didn’t know most of the girls and it’s been a long time since I’ve had to be with people for 3 days straight. 

I spent Monday grocery shopping and picking up coolers and other things for camp. I was exhausted (I had help and it was still a lot of work). Then we left for camp Tuesday morning and came back Thursday evening. One of our priesthood leaders knows a guy who has a big house in Idaho that they use for camp outs and family reunions and things and when they aren’t using it, they let youth groups use it. We had 20 people and the 12 girls and 6 women leaders stayed in the house. It was big and had everything we could possibly need, including fire pit in the back yard. Our 2 priesthood leaders camped in the front yard away from the house. We unpacked and got everything set up when we arrived and then had lunch. We spent the afternoon playing some group games and then had craft time. Some of the girls painted, some made bracelets or things with beads, and friendship bracelets. Later that evening we did dinner and then had a camp fire and s’mores. 

Wednesday we let the girls sleep in a bit because of course they were up late the night before. The family whose house we borrowed also had a big pond that they have all kinds of things at: a huge slide, trampoline, canoes and kayaks, etc. The pond was ours for the day and they spent a good 4 hours or so playing in the water. After a late lunch, we had a few other things planned but the girls were tired and a few were sunburned so instead we ended up with nap time and more craft time for those who wanted. We did tin foil dinners and Dutch oven cobbler for dinner that night. Before the water park, we had made a simple 3 ingredient, no churn ice cream. The ice cream and cobbler were a big hit. I have to admit, it was very very tasty. I was quite pleased I had thought to make the simple ice cream. :)

Thursday we got up earlier and after breakfast we had our hike. The leaders thought we would be on a dirt road, but it was an actual trail up the mountain. Since I’m slow and out of shape, I was in the back prodding the complainers and slow hikers. LOL  After the hike we had a brief stop back at the house and then drove over to the Niter Ice Cave. I had found out about it by looking at google maps and the girls had said they wanted to go during one of our planning meetings. I was not sure what to expect, but I had a blast. It was muddy and you had to walk carefully but so much fun. The cold air felt great. It was just a walk out and back of maybe 200 yards or so. The walls are graffitied in a lot of places, but there are spots where you can see big chunks of ice and whatever minerals are in the rocks make the ceiling glitter. 

After lunch, we had the girls do a bake off and they divided into 2 teams and made cupcakes from scratch, decorating them with a pioneer theme. 

And then it was finally time to pack and clean the house so we could go home. It was 2 hours of chaos but eventually, we were all in the car for the trip home. As we left to caravan home, the priesthood leaders were in the first car and I was second that time. Ahead of me he started swerving on the road and I didn’t know what he was doing but I thought I’d play along so there was a line of 5 cars swerving back and forth on this deserted country road. In my car we were laughing, and I know in other cars the girls thought it was fun. We stopped at the first Maverick gas station was passed and that’s when Brother Taylor asked what we were doing. He had been swerving to check that all 5 of the cars were on the road. In my sleep and caffeine deprived mind, I thought we were just having fun. LOL I’m still laughing over it. 

I will be honest and admit that I had a really good time. Of course, we did have to prod some girls and deal with some complaining and a few minor injuries, but overall I am really glad I got to go. I still have some unpacking to do and I can’t say that it’s been the most relaxing week, but it’s been worth it. 

Happy Fourth!

I can’t believe it’s July already. I’ve had a long weekend. Since the holiday is on a Tuesday, I took Monday off as well. It’s been a really nice break. I haven’t done that much. I go to girl’s camp next week so I’ve been working on that. I’ve got a pile of stuff in my dining room already. I know I shouldn’t wish away my time, but I want it to be over. Not that I don’t think I’ll have a good time, it’s just not something I’m super excited about doing (but probably will be good for me to get out of my comfort zone). 

Yesterday my nephew came over so we could watch Attack on Titan. It’s his favorite anime and manga and we’ve been getting through it slowly. He wants me to finish it before he leaves for his mission so we are trying to speed things up a bit. Yesterday we had 16 episodes to finish season 3. Oh my gosh. That was a lot of tv watching, even when we forward through the credits. We took a break after 8 episodes and got dinner. Then the universe decided to intervene and my power went out. :) It was out for about 2 hours and I made him go on a walk with me. It was muggy and overcast because of storms, but also cool enough that it felt so good to walk by the river. We saw a beaver swimming and dragging tree branches into the water so it was kind of fun. Then the power came back and we finished up season three about 10 pm last night. I told him after camp we can start on season 4. LOL I need a break from whining teenage cartoon boys as well. 

Life is good.