Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real...Going Going...But Not Gone!

With a turn of the page summer is going...going...but not gone. So many people start saying when August arrives that summer is just about over. I prefer to think we have a whole month of glorious summer left and of course a I want to make the most of it. Looking back...June was wrapping up the homeschool year and mourning the death of my uncle, my good friend Beth's mother, and an extraordinary man a church. My goal of wrapping up the homeschool year by the end of June was not met. Life happens. A few years back I started keeping a notebook where I list the things I would like to do in the summer and then day by day I jot down what I did that day. It really helps to see where my days go and it is nice to check off a few things that I want to do. As I look back over July I am grateful to have the notebook as I really cannot believe July is over and I am asking myself where it went. I recently saw the idea of bullet journaling on someone's blog and I thought that kinda described what I have been doing.

~Scripture Study: Acts of the Apostles
~Switch insurance agents and review policies
~July 4th picnic at the Schmuckers with volleyball
~Fireworks and dessert at Roadhouse
~Mom's Book Club
~Thomas at Scout Camp
~Move Colleen and Michelle into the new and out of the old apartments
~Lunch and blueberry picking with MJ
~IGNITE!
~Rooney Reunion/Michelle take and PASS nursing boards!
~Monday morning Liturgy of the Hours at Resurrection
~1 day catechist training at New Washington
~Road trip to Frackville PA with Michelle for Andrew Rall's wedding
~Church cleaning
~Clean outside freezer
~Freeze corn and cherries
~July 30th...an entire day at home...is it possible this is the first time all summer?

A highlight of July was my road trip with Michelle. She wanted to attend her friends Andrew and Annie's wedding but it was a 6 hour drive. I offered to drive along and Gary said to rent a car since the vehicles we have would probably make it but without having my favorite mechanic along it was probably best not to chance it. I was so grateful that I didn't have to worry about that and the vehicle we rented was a hybrid and got 40 mpg which helped keep our costs down. We had points for the hotel room so the costs were basically car rental, gas, and food. I attended the wedding with Michelle...it was a beautiful Catholic wedding... the church was packed...people sang and truly celebrated the Mass. What a joy to share in their celebration. Michelle went to the reception with friends and I enjoyed a quiet evening at the hotel. God blessed us with a hotel with an incredible view, and outdoor pool, and a lovely restaurant right next door. I ordered a chef salad to go and sat on the patio with the view and ate, swam in the pool, showered, went back on the patio to read and enjoy the sunset. I felt truly blessed. Shortly after sunset Michelle called and I picked her up and we spent the rest of the evening snacking, watching a movie and enjoying our time together. In the morning I finally found Mass at the 3rd church I went to. I am grateful for masstimes.org!  The pastor spoke of the feast of St Ann ( the day before) and the importance of having patrons of which St Ann is a treasure. He talked of the many miracles attributed to her intercession. St Ann please pray for my family especially Michelle Anne as she searches for a nursing postion.

                                                                          Going...

                                                                        Going...

Not quite gone!