A Farewell to Summer

This is it, my last day of summer.  I have worked but I always had extra-long 4 day weekends that felt like freedom!  I will miss the days at the pool, lazy days spent with Chris, and nice little beach trips.  I am sad to see it end.  

However, I have a little confession to make.  While I am sad to see my thirtieth summer pass by, I have to admit that I am a lover of the excitement of the school season.  Who doesn't love school supplies, new school outfits, and the knowledge that Fall is just around the corner? 

So, yes, I am ready.  I have my binders, labeled and ready for each new syllabus.  There are packages of blue pens and highlighters, and even the little four-colored one that I thought I couldn't live without-you know, the white and blue one that has four color choices.:)  My textbooks are aired out and my little study niche is uncluttered and ready for some serious studying (er...the school supplies are nice but we'll see about the actual studying part).  

So here it is, my farewell to summer.  Farewell to staying up late and sleeping in.  Farewell to a summer crammed with books of pleasure and afternoons of nothing but blog-reading.  It's been fun but I've got lovely things to look forward to.  

Just a Thursday

Whew, it's been a tiring week and I'm just about delirious tonight thinking about everything coming up in the next few weeks.  Weekends, softball, beach, project, school prep, school.  I'm tired thinking about it!!  However, I feel that I've worked hard this summer and am prepared to face this school year head-on.  So looking forward to the beach with my favorite girls and hope to get some relaxation in.  Hope your weeks have been good and that you have wonderful weekends full of joy and family.  Adios!!

Summer Weekends...

Summer weekends remind me of...

Nutty Buddies,

Jelly Shoes,

Bike-riding until dark,

Grandaddy grilling hamburgers on the back deck,

Days at the lake with family,

and wearing Itsy-Bitsy Polka Dot Bikinis with not a worry in the world. 

What are some of YOUR summer weekend memories?

Nothing's Sweeter....

Tonight Chris and I went swimming after we got home from a nice summer evening out.  Chris likes to swim and splash but I like to float...especially at night.  I was floating on my back looking at the stars and the full moon.  I couldn't hear anything because my ears were under water and it was so peaceful just looking at the sky.  I was looking at the Big Dipper in particular.  Stargazing is a favorite of mine and one summer I learned about a lot of the constellations.  I remember a few but the Big Dipper is one that I've known for a long time.  Something about the stars has always amazed me.  Anyway...I was floating and looking at the stars and thinking about all the other summers in my life when I have looked up to see the Big Dipper. 

Aren't summer memories some of the best memories?

When I think of summer I think of:
Family trips to Rock City/Lookout Falls
Bike-riding barefoot
Catching lightning bugs and putting them in a jar to use as a nightlight
Hide and go seek with my brother and sister
Swimming in the lake at Montgomery Bell State Park
Playing on the slip-n-slide down the hill behind my grandparents' house
The ice cream man!!
Grilling out on my grandparents' deck.  We would most likely always have grilled hamburgers and frozen fruit salad.
Going to Lylewood church camp, especially the cabin with no air conditioner!!
Mission trips to Wyoming and New Mexico
Hiking trips to Sugarloaf mountain and impromptu trips to Heber Springs
Swinging in the park with Chris when we were first dating and sitting under the pavilion while it stormed
Camping at Elkmont with a bear!!
Marrying Chris and going on our honeymoon to St. Lucia

Summer memories are wonderful!  They give me such a feeling of nostalgia and optimism.  I'm up for anything and anything is possible during those lazy summer days.  What are some of your favorite summer memories?