Summer, Pt. I

Good glory, it's September first. Time to write about our summer! Past time!

As with other summers, we kicked it off with a camping trip with old and new friends. Lots of swimming, lots of fishing. Bug caught a big ole bass...too bad momma don't know what to do with a dead big ole bass. He was kept on ice until someone could filet and fry him. Anyway, it was a perfect weekend to begin our summer.

The whole summer included lots of swimming, of course. Not so much here at the house, but we enjoyed our membership to the big water park more this year. I had to decide that it was okay if we just zipped over and played for an hour or two. Not making it a big all-day, pack everything production made all the difference. More fun. It helped that this summer there was no rain. Last year we'd make plans with friends, arrive, and then the heavens would open and the pool would close. Three times at least...bummer.

And of course, we traveled to Creation again. Oh, I was working hard in my lobby to go to a different festival. There were many reasons: new management, it's a boatload of work to get there, not to mention survive there, one of my favorite bands was at a festival closer to home, and most importantly, our sweet friend Gail had decided she was not going to make the trip. She's been going since the mid-80's, way before my first trip in 1998. How could I even be there without her? Sacrilege...and when I forget trash bags or teabags or something, she always has what we need. 

Sweet Man wanted to give it another year and so I agreed, reluctantly. Funny, isn't it? God blessed my time there, even though I missed Gail terribly. Somehow I was able to slip away frequently...hiking on my own or with my peeps. We revisited our engagement stump as a family. I was also able to get to the worship tent a couple of times: seeing All Sons and Daughters was a highlight.

We returned home to no power...so many around us were without from a huge wind storm that blew through. Five days! The Fourth of July parade was brutal...and we tried to escape the increasing heat by going to the movies, opting to see Brave. Too bad I slept through most of it, but I hear it was good. No sleep for sweltering Central Ohio(!)...so as my core temp cooled down, my eyes closed. But as we drove home, we started to notice that porch lights were on...power restored!!! 

Swim team was much fun again. Lots of early mornings. I spent much of my time at the meets on the edge of the pool watching touches and flipturns. Wearing white...awesome...I asked for the job that required me to wear the most unflattering clothing imaginable. Ah vell. I still don't feel too connected to any of the other moms...which is okay, 'cause it's not about me. I go to practice and read or knit...which now that I think of it is quite lovely. At home, I'm fairly constantly trying to find a minute to sit and read or knit.

Bug and Bean really blossomed in their swimming. Bug couldn't care less about winning...but his strokes are becoming more developed...rotation breathing and timing. Bean just tears the water up....little water spout. She wants to practice dives and butterfly and starts and she wears me out.

Which brings me to a current sitch which began sometime this spring/summer. The girl does not want to leave my side. Since April she has been complaining of tummy aches. Thinking it may be a diet issue, we eliminated gluten for 10 days and then dairy for 3 weeks. The tummy aches continued throughout...so I think we're dealing with a purely-in-her-head thing. If she even thinks I may be away from her, her anxiety kicks in and she complains of feeling sick. I went through something much like it when I was 8, not wanting to be away overnight and I would make myself sick with worry.  

But, ugh...she's wearing me out. And it's coming down to her needs dictating the activities of our home. Homey don't play that.

Okay, gonna stop here...stay tuned for Part II.