I love Summer storms. Not that we need any more rain around here. But right now I'm sitting on my back deck eating ice cream, watching the clouds roll in, and listening to the thunder that's coming. Even though the air is sticky-hot, I find it really relaxing. It makes me wish I had a hammock to enjoy the time in.
Since I still haven't found a job (I've accepted the reality that it's just not going to happen this summer) I've kept myself busy plenty of other ways. Usually I find myself running errands or doing chores for my mom. I also like hanging out at my family's business, listening to the goings-on of the farming community. When I can, this is one of my favorite places to be.
This week though, I've decided to start being crafty.
Now creating things is something I've always wanted to be good at, but realistically it just doesn't come naturally to me. I can organize my craft supplies all day long, but when it comes down to actually starting to make anything it usually takes a bit of encouragement. I had a fairly good craft spree over the winter when I painted and gave my room a makeover, but it trickled off before I got around to making the throw pillow covers I so enjoyed picking out fabric for... Yes, the pillow covers are still on my craft list, but something else found its way to the top yesterday. This current blast of creativity started last night when I finally found and put together a shadow box from my high school graduation, but that's not even the really exciting part. While Mom & I were perusing a consignment shop downtown yesterday, I found a set of folding chairs at a really good price. I know folding chairs aren't on most 20-year-olds' wishlist, but I've been dying to try this folding chair DIY since I saw it on Pinterest a while back! Plus it'll be nice to have the set once I move out of my dorm and get my full blow adult status.
I'm really looking forward to picking out paint colors & fabrics for my chairs, but I know its not all fun and games. I've already had an absolute blast just trying to remove the seat cushions since they aren't just held on with normal screws. I look forward to more learning experiences with this DIY & I'll be sure to share pictures once I finally have one done!
Coming to terms with being unemployed this summer has been something. The Lord's always showing me that things work on his timeline, not mine. Surprisingly, its been more of a blessing that I would have imagined. I've really enjoyed being able to do things with my family without restrictions. Simply the smallest things like going to the grocery store and running errands with my mom have been enjoyable this summer. Knowing that next summer I'll possibly be living in my college town I'm really trying to make this summer count with my family & friends in my hometown. Today one of my family members encouraged me to enjoy this state of unemployment while I can, because it won't be something that will come around again any time soon. In reference to the title of this post, enjoying this summer may or may not come with listening to copious amounts of Taylor Swift.
I really enjoyed being home this week with Mathieu visiting. The whole family was in the house, which is something of an uncommon occurrence. Like the card I gave my step-dad on father's day said, "Family is weird, but a good kind of weird". I love my weird family. We had my sister's graduation party at our house Saturday. It was so great to get to see and visit with family friends I haven't seen in a few years. One such person, my grandma's friend Mike, I haven't seen in about five years. It was really great to get to catch up with him and his family, finally!
So since I don't have much to talk about this week, I think I'll be courageous & put a poem I wrote last spring out here. I hope you enjoy!
Sinkhole
One morning I woke up
and there it was.
A deep ache began to settle in my heart.
I realized there would be no more
tree houses and sandboxes. No more
family built swing set. No more
sled hills. No more
running barefoot across gravel parking lots.
Praise the Lord its finally hot outside! I've been home for three and a half weeks and today I finally swam in my pool. It was definitely worth the wait. One of my best friends, Amanda, came over and it was so nice to just relax and enjoy the day in the pool. Summer just isn't summer without hot days spent in the pool.
I truly love being home. This picture shows my view tonight as I type this. I love so much about the area I grew up, it always holds such a special place in my heart. I was never one of those kids that wanted nothing more than to bust out of town and never return. I love my family and my town. Sure I had my ups and downs here, but that's life. Hard times and trials come with the job of living. Even though I absolutely love my college town and I do miss it even as I talk about my hometown, nothing compares to this place that holds my memories and my family. I know I'm so blessed to have such a large extended family that acts like immediate family. I've been able to grow up with third cousins as though they were my first cousins and I've loved that.
As I've grown up, I've come to learn that the people you love in a place won't always be there. I've watched friends leave this town and call other parts of the world home. Feeling lost in my hometown wasn't something I ever expected, but coming home for the summer knowing that one of my best friends from high school was staying in her college town dampened the overall summer outlook at first. Looking forward to a summer without some of my friends helped me to step back and really think about the things I value in my hometown. I realized the things I love about my hometown aren't things that would make anyone want to drive right on over to see. I love the river. I love the back roads that I know like the back of my hand. I love my family's business. I love this one specific Mexican restaurant. I love this little cafe that makes the best salad ever. I love my grandma's house. I even love the unpredictable Midwest weather. These little things add up to take a big part of my heart.
Speaking of how much I love my family, my step-brother arrived tonight! He and my two other step siblings live in Montreal, Canada, my step dad's hometown. I love getting to visit with them, though we only get to see them about twice a year. I'm looking forward to this next week and getting to spend time with him. I also received a text from my aunt this week to let me know my cousin I went to visit in Oregon will be home for a visit in August! We were close growing up and even though we had drifted a bit, I've missed her while she's been enjoying living in the Pacific Northwest.
I guess what I'm really trying to say, I love summer! I love my pool, I love barefoot blue jean nights, I love being on the river, and I love getting together with family. All the things that for me make summer, summer. Of course with the occasional roasted hotdog and s'mores night thrown in. Graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow. Basically the recipe of summer.
So, as usual when I decide to put a task unto my self, everything goes well for a few days or a few weeks until it inevitably crashes before my face. As it goes, it looks like this week was my crash week. I don't even have an excuse about how busy things are or how much stuff I do every day. I just forgot all about it. The same story goes for my 30 Day Writing Challenge. It'll still be a 30 Day Challenge, its just not going to start on the first of the month. Better late than never!
Three exciting things happened this past week! First, last Saturday two of my friends got married! Adam & Erin are beautiful people and make each other greater by being together. I still feel incredibly blessed to have been included in their amazing day. I was so excited about their wedding, I slept for about 4 hours the night before the wedding. Thank goodness the day was chock full of things to do so I never had the opportunity to crash. I'm not even sure I sat down for more than a few minutes at a time during the reception. My friends & I are what you might call Dancing Fools. Sunday night when I was finally able to lay down for a good night's sleep it was well worth it. As exhausted as was I wouldn't trade it for anything. Their wedding day was definitely one for the books. I've so much loved seeing the pictures Erin's been putting on Facebook of their beautiful honeymoon location!
Sunday, we celebrated my sister's graduation with a party with my dad's family. Lets just say I felt like a zombie 90% of the day & needed about 100x as much coffee as I actually consumed. All-in-all it was a nice day getting to eat some good food and visit with family.
After I finally recovered from my exciting weekend, it was time to celebrate another one of my best friend's 21st birthday! Amanda happens to be one of my first friends to turn the big twenty one. Even though I've been twenty for a while now, when my friends start hitting 21 it seems to really hit me out of nowhere. I guess I still haven't exactly accepted the fact that we're all growing up and becoming adults, whether we like it or not. Birthdays and end-of-semesters always make me stop and think about how fast time flies. These are some of the things that really make you want to live and enjoy every day as much as you can before they're gone and you're looking back.
Speaking of days gone to soon, if y'all could keep my hometown in your prayers. Tragedy hit us in the middle of the night last night as three young men who were younger than me in high school passed away and two others are in serious condition. Our high school has faced many sad accidents such as this in the past few years, but that doesn't make this any easier. Life lost too soon always hits hard and this has been no exception.
