As usual, summer was such a busy time that I didn’t get to post anywhere near as often as I do during the rest of the year. So what have we been up to?
In the late spring I got started on the garden. We also go some bees–I actually purchased the bees and the hives, and we have a local apiary who comes and takes care of them for a percentage of the honey.
Shortly thereafter I injured myself somehow. I still don’t know exactly what I did, but my arm began to ache all the time. It got worse and worse, so I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with a pinched nerve in my neck. The rest of the summer I was at physical therapy a couple of times a week, back to the doctor to get something for the pain, and then eventually feeling quite a bit better. . . but I wasn’t up to my normal energetic self all summer.
One short week after the end of school (which for us is late June) we were up in the Adirondack mountains with my lovely mother-in-law who rents a place and has us come stay with her for a week each summer. The weather was not with us–it was cold enough for Yankee Bill to light the woodstove (the only heat source in the house) most mornings, and it rained about half the time. I think Buddy was the only one who went swimming.
Although the weather wasn’t the greatest we had fun as a family. This year the landlords had installed a satellite TV and were going to have wifi (which never got fixed the week we were there)–but we stuck to our summer rule of no TV, internet, handheld games etc. Instead we read, crafted, played cards, played board games, went boating, took walks, and even *gasp* talked to each other. It was a very good time despite the weather.
The fireworks over the lake on the 4th of July almost were cancelled for rain, but eventually started about an hour late. Here’s the finale (taped with my phone):
After we got home there was just a week and then Buddy went off to spend a week at the Masonic camp (this was his first year). He came home, then a week later he headed off to his 5th year of scout camp (he’s gone as a Cub scout and a Boy scout) and Princess was off to her 3 weeks at the Masonic camp.
Yes, that’s right. . . Yankee Bill and I had no kids at all home for an entire week. It was weird.
Between all that several different things happened. This year we purchased a small boathouse on a private lake about 20 minutes from the house. It’s larger than a camper, but smaller than a single wide mobile home. Basically one long open room with a kitchenette on one end, a bed on a platform (underneath that on the outside is where the boat goes) room for a sofa and then you are out onto the deck. The place was in great shape, but needed a bit of maintenance work–so Yankee Bill spent a lot of time priming and painting, installing an awning and things like that.
This summer I also finally got my voice over demos done. That’s right, along with my blogging I’ve also been taking training for voice acting. I’m hoping to do work on things for online education, corporate training, things like that. . . although I’d be happy to do commercial work too (If you are interested in hearing them, you can hear them on my demo page–the full up website is being worked on)
We managed to fit in a few fun day trips as well. One was to a local Buddist retreat that was having a special presentation of dances. That was very interesting.
On the not so good side of things, my injury and recovery meant the garden went to hell in a handbasket. This year was hands down the worst garden I have ever grown. It was overcome by weeds, things choked out, food getting oversized and woody before I picked it. I didn’t do any canning either–I just couldn’t face picking up those big pots. Ah well–everything teaches you something and God decided to teach me some humility and patience this summer.
At the end of the summer we were blessed to be able to head back up to the lake for another week, this time with my Mom. We just love it there. The weather was far better so much time was spent on the water. I even got a few photos with me in the picture!
Came home, and then it was two short weeks and the kids were back in school. Talk about a packed summer!
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