Sherree S.

Oh dear. I'm too tired to think. It might be time for a break.

Love you all!

Love to all my DC family. Thanks for your support and encouragement.

I am just exhausted so that's it for today.

Later!

"The castle grounds were gleaming in the sunlight as though freshly painted; the cloudless sky smiled at itself in the smoothly sparkling lake, the satin-green lawns rippled occasionally in a gentle breeze: June had arrived."
―J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Today was cooler and less humid. I took Maisie for a couple walks to the park. There was a breeze and I watched the tops of the tall grasses rippling at differing speeds for quite some time. Maisie was in a great mood all day. I brought her to Target and set her in the child seat for the first time. She was so proud. She beamed through our whole shopping trip.

After Maisie went home, I touched up the stain on my deck. At some point I should probably get new wood for the deck, but it looks pretty good with a fresh coat of stain.

Should I ever used jarred pasta sauce, I will definitely add some veggies. Sounds like a great way to get in some extras. I bought a spiralizer in hopes of making spaghetti out of zucchini. I have not used the spiralizer yet because the thought of spaghetti made out of zucchini makes me sad. Very sad.

But my encouragers make me a very happy woman. Thanks so much, Crystal, Sara, Sheenie, Frank, & Debra.

Y'all have a great evening!

"The summer night was settling upon the neighborhood like a dark lace veil, casting dappled shadows on the roofs and sidewalks and lawns."
―Victoria Kahler, Luisa Across the Bay

These quotes that I've been sharing are romanticizing summer. I wish it were as romantic as I dream it could be. However, yesterday I had an episode of Heat Exhaustion. I would have welcomed death as it overtook my body, mind, and soul. However, I survived. I never did get to finish my 10,000 steps yesterday. Today I should be out there mowing and that sort of thing, but I found my neighbor and I'm paying him to do it.

This sounds like such a "fun" challenge today, but I just don't understand making a dip for fruit. Fruit is already sweet and perfect. I promise to eat fruit once my stomach settles down a bit more.

I lost more weight at Weight Watchers and went for a walk in the mall today. Then I had my physical therapy and I must have impressed my physical therapist. Maybe I can quit after the next one. Those co-pays add up fast.

I am grateful for my encouragers today. Thanks so much, Sara, Michelle, Sally, & Lamoine.

Sweet dreams, y'all!

"Green was the silence, wet was the light,
the month of June trembled like a butterfly."
―Pablo Neruda, 100 Love Sonnets

Despite my love for June and the coming summer, it is blasted hot out there and I am unable to be outside. I am thankful that we are expecting a rip-roaring thunderstorm around midnight. I pray that it doesn't destroy too much. So many gardens were flattened by the storm we had earlier this week.

I will give white fish a try next time I go to the grocery store. I usually buy Alaskan sockeye salmon, but white fish should be cheaper.

This morning was my last day of volunteering at the Minneapolis schools until next Fall. Usually on Fridays, I put bags of food in kids backpacks in their lockers so that that they will have food for the weekend. Since the school year is coming to a close, today I put in two bags of food per kid. It's hardly enough to keep them fed all Summer. I hope that their parents take advantage of other programs to feed their kids over the summer.

I took my cat to have her nails trimmed. And then I had a 90-minute massage. Now, I have to get creative to find a way to get in the rest of my 10,000 steps.

I'm super pumped with all my encouragements today. Thanks so much, Crystal, Cindy, Sally, Sara, Lamoine, & Deborah.

"Summers had a logic all their own and they always brought something out in me. Summer was supposed to be about freedom and youth and no school and possibilities and adventure and exploration. Summer was a book of hope. That's why I loved and hated summers. Because they made me want to believe."
―Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

We are going through a stormy spell here in Minnesota. The skies are overcast and we get some raindrops now and then. I took Maisie for two walks today before the rain started in. It's a whole new world out there now that the kids are done with school. The toddlers are getting their tennis lessons and the older kids who need some structure are starting their programs at the park. I saw the boy from down the street and I'm sure he grew over a foot since I saw him around Christmastime. He must have been looking for some summer adventure, but he ended up walking with me and telling me about his plans. Such a good feeling to see that despite the political angst that is clutching my heart, summer still remains a time of wonder for the children in this town.

Guess what? I'm not going to make or eat pita chips. I will eat fruit.

I'm grateful for my DC buddies who sent encouragements today. You guys make me jump for joy! Thanks, Lamoine, Frank, Keecha, Sara, Kimberly, Sally, & Deborah.

"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer."
—F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

I'm so in love with this little girl. There is just no end to the delights she brings.

As for whole wheat flour...no. I don't use white flour and I don't use whole wheat flour. I don't use flour. The end.

It stormed today. It was so windy and dark this morning. Then it rained. Many are without power. Trees down and that sort of thing. We expect more tonight. It's plenty cool today, though. More heat will be coming down the pike.

I got my steps in today by walking at the mall.

I'm very appreciative of the encouragements sent my way today. Thanks so much, Sara, Robert, Keecha, Lamoine, Sally, & Sandy.

Sweet dreams, my friends.