first day of summer

Let's hear a "hey!" and a "ho!" for me being back in Denver. Finals are finished, I'm semi-unpacked, and I'm back to sleeping in a bed that doesn't require three forms of padding to be comfortable. I have many many plans for this summer, and today proved to be a good start to the next four months. The transition into summer last year proved challenging, but I feel like I'm already back into the swing of things this year.

My first day of summer went as follows:

:: I got up with my first alarm this morning (which is quite an accomplishment for me) and went on a 20 minute "run." I'm trying to make myself more athletic, and I figured this is a good way to start. I also plan on spending significant time hiking and camping. I love the mountains more and more each summer and crave the fresh air and peace they provide.

:: After getting ready while catching up on "Chuck," I tended to some household business before walking with Moosey over to get Sarah from school. (She had a half day today and was finished at 11:00.)

:: We stopped by Grandpa's to say hello, but he was out running errands. I didn't mind the slight detour, however, because we got to walk home through the neighborhoods instead of along the main road. It was nice.

Sarah, Moose, and re-runs of "Friday Night Lights" kept me company while unpacking. It didn't take long for my dresser and closets to fill up. I love settling back into my room, but it does overwhelm me a little to think about packing it all up again in just a few months.


:: Mom and I dropped Sarah off at dance class, then sat in a nearby parking lot for some productive list-making. We came home, donned aprons, and enjoyed our reunion as kitchen buddies. Mom made Michelle's Miracle Bread, and the loaves came out somewhat monstrous. They were delicious, though!

:: And what goes better with a first day home and homemade bread than my favorite soup? Mom made Ham & Bean soup, and it was wonderful. Grandpa came over for dinner, and we enjoyed our delicious meal together. I love family dinners.


:: In creating a good first day of summer, I was perhaps overambitious. I love reading a book out on the trampoline in the evenings, but Colorado "springtime" evenings are downright chilly. I should have expected as much, seeing as this last weekend included eight inches of snow, but I only lasted about two minutes outside, hoodie, headband, and all, before coming in.


Though my evening reading will be limited to the indoors for the next while, I am thoroughly enjoying being able to read books just because, not because they are assigned.

*Was today your first day of anything?
*What are you reading?

life during finals

:: I have needed to do laundry for the past two weeks but have no time. I figure that at this point, I might as well save my quarters and just wait until I'm home next week. I would wait, actually, except I'm running out of some essentials, so if I finish my accounting final early enough tomorrow, I'll celebrate with a couple loads.

:: I went grocery shopping on Saturday night and ended up buying $20 worth of fruit. That's all that sounds good. Further, fruit requires no cooking. Time is a valuable commodity right now. If I can't study while I do something, it is a luxury. Hence, cooking=luxury. Sleeping=luxury. Knitting=fantasy. Packing=hasn't happened.

:: My skin is going weird. I haven't had caffeine since Saturday afternoon, though, which will hopefully help. Apparently, my body can't handle finals stress on top of 32+ oz of Diet Pepsi a day. Until Tuesday, it's water for me!

:: I have a late night at the library scheduled tonight, but tomorrow, I'll be ALL FINISHED!!! Two years of college will be behind me. I'll be facing an excellent weekend in Provo with my family followed by four months of home and no school!!! Yesssss.

false start

My day started like this:
:: Wake up to freakishly early alarm, set by foolishly abitious self
:: Decide to sleep until work instead of work on written final
:: Smash knee into Jordin's desk chair on my way back into bed
:: Wait for painful throbbing to subside in knee before falling back asleep
:: Have bizarre dreams
:: Wake up to later alarm, fall out of bed, turn off alarm, and sleep some more
:: Wake up with just enough time to get ready and get to work
:: Discover unraveling of sweater sleeve
:: Knee still hurts; wait for ugly bruising

The good news, however, is that my nails match my sweater, I'm wearing my metallic accented sneakers and freshly laundered skinny jeans, I have an iPod full of new music from my brother, and I only have a week and a half of studying and finals until my family is here and we get to celebrate Charlotte's graduation.

second-hand boucle

Over Thanksgiving break, I had the pleasure of diving into Grandma's treasure trove of old clothes and taking my pick of handmade, unique pieces. I selected a couple of beautiful suits that Grandma made for herself, but had yet to work them into my wardrobe. That changed on Thursday morning. As I was dressing for the day in dress pants and a nice shirt (I had a presentation in my business class that required formal attire) I decided that I didn't want to wear dress pants and a nice shirt. I don't like dress pants. And the weather promised to provide a beautiful springtime day. I wanted to dress springy. Done and done.

Looking into my closet, my eyes fell upon the citron boucle citron suit, still on its dry cleaning hanger. Combined with a nice cream tee shirt, pearls, and pointy toed, brown heels, I was ready to ace any presentation. I felt wonderful strutting my stuff around campus, wearing big sunglasses and enjoying the sunshine. There is something magical about that high-waisted pencil skirt.

I snapped a self portrait while reading in the JFSB courtyard after work, loving the warm sunshine on my face and the peaceful fountain splashing in the background.

When I was about four years old, I was at my Grandma's house with one of my Mom's friend's daughters, who was about my age. This other girl was receiving a little too much attention from my Grandma, so I went over and assumed my rightful place upon my Grandma's lap and proudly said to the other girl: "We [meaning me and my sister] are Grandma's darlings." I have been one of my Grandma's darlings for almost twenty years, and I am so grateful for all of those years. I am so grateful that she was a part of my life for this entire time.

I am so sad to lose her. I know, however, that she will still be a part of my life. I won't be able to call her on my way home from the library for encouragement or advice, but I will feel her influence forever. That said, I do not like the idea of a world without her. I do not want to say goodbye. I want to keep going over to her house for summer lunches and cleaning days. I want to talk and eat cheese tostadas and sliced apples with her forever.