How I Spent My Summer Vacation
How I Spent My Summer Vacation
Well, summer’s winding down. For that I’m grateful. My leave of absence is almost over. For that, I’m not.
It’s hard to believe how quickly six weeks off work goes, especially if you don’t have a screaming, pooping, barfing newborn to take care of.
The first couple weeks after surgery kind of sucked. I was sort of hoping for an extended vacation, as it were. But what I got instead was a lot of pain and the inability to do for myself. Thankfully, it got better.
What have I done over this past month and a half? Let me try to recall …
There was plenty of TV and DVD watching, computer playing and book reading. There were also the days completely wasted (maybe not, when it comes to my sanity), lying around with the cats and sleeping while it rained. There were two or three trips back and forth to Memphis to shuttle No. 2 son; and the times I spent with my best girlfriend, watching ghost-hunting shows, talking politics and eating excessively.
I mustn’t forget a couple jaunts to spend the day with Dad. And the times Old Fartt #2 joined us for some pickin’ and grinnin’ and big breakfasts. There was a hot day in the shade on the banks of the rapidly flowing Spring River. And, most recently, there was the trip down said river in a blow-up boat.
Sooner than I’d like, I’ll be reporting for duty at the kitchen design desk of your local home improvement center. Back to the day in, day out … some rude and irate customers, a handful of rumor mongering co-workers and backstabbers, aching bones and feet and taxes. In the middle of that, it’s when I’ll remember lying in bed at 11 in the morning, reading about sexy vampires and listening to Diablo’s soft purr.
The things I thought I’d accomplish didn’t quite get finished — although there’s still a day or two for that; and I’ll have some days off from work coming. The house is a little less messy, and that’s what matters, I guess.
I took some pictures and some video along the way, most of it – no, probably all of it – not really worth looking at. But it’s fun just the same. Below is a 1 minute, 45 second sample of “How I Spent My Summer Vacation.”
My brother, my sweet baboo and I had gone to the outfitters to take a raft ride down the river. It was 1 in the afternoon. We arrived too late, so we scheduled for the next morning. We didn’t realize we’d be spending 5 hours in the unforgiving sunshine, fighting for our lives over some falls, dodging snakes and turtles and running out of beer a quarter of the way through.
Anyhoo … this video is from the day before the raft trip. I didn’t dare take my video camera along on that, and it’s a good thing, too (saving it for another blog entry). We had just been turned down for the Saturday float and decided to stop at a drive-in fast food chain for a bite to eat before heading back to the motel.
This is what we encountered.
Well, I’m off to tackle the grocery shopping.
Stay cool,
Julie
12:42 p.m. 8/25/08
Henry said,
August 26, 2008 @ 1:49 am
Hey Julie,
I can relate to the “time flies” syndrome. I’ve been playing since early July and it’s hard to believe that almost two months have expired. I had little to show from my work break except for some mediocre pottery I made and a few small projects I’ve done around the house. Life was a little mundane, very predictable and slightly depressing.
Then I was introduced to the woman that has become my best friend. I never thought that could happen again and it really surprised me. She’s pretty, intelligent, independent, nonconforming… and she loves me. I guess there’s no accounting for taste. : )
I’ll always remember this summer and I’ll always be grateful regardless of our future.
I’m glad you’re back on your feet and I hope the adjustment to work is easy. Isn’t it legal to either use a taser or pepper spray on rude people in AR? I think that may be the answer to job dissatisfaction. Just make those bastards writhe and cry for mama!
Administrator said,
August 26, 2008 @ 2:26 am
Hey Henry,
Mediocre pottery is better than cleaning up 5-year-old petrified cat barf!
That’s what I’ve been doing while trying to make my youngest son’s bedroom into our new guest room/library/art studio.
Congratulations on meeting such a great gal who appreciates you for the cool dude you are. Good to know I’m not the only pretty, intelligent, independent, nonconforming woman out here!
Hear us roar!
As for the taser and/or pepper spray in Arkansas, I’m definitely going to look into it!
Rock on witcher bad self!
Julie
elisabeth said,
August 26, 2008 @ 2:40 am
glad ur doing better and yeah can relate to where did the time go to … had surgery on left leg and those 2 weeks flew by now am trying to get everything packed cause i am moving to FL end of Sept … back w/ the parents..hopefully sometime next yr will have my own place and can invite ppl for a visit.
bonnie said,
August 26, 2008 @ 5:08 am
hey julie hope they take it easy on you at work …
Barb said,
August 26, 2008 @ 5:55 am
Hey Julie, Had to laugh at Old Fartt #1 at Sonic. They are the same way around here (Southern WV). Just try to get a burger with no pickles anywhere here and you get a hassle lol.
You are right, the summer flew by and all I got done was tiling floors. Take it easy.
Administrator said,
August 27, 2008 @ 7:58 pm
Beth, Bonnie & Barb,
Thanks for your comments! Barb — when I looked back at what little video footage I had the other day, that Sonic visit stood out, and I had to chuckle.
And, by the way, I’d say tiling the floors is a major accomplishment! You go, girlfriend!
Julie
Henry said,
August 30, 2008 @ 6:59 am
“Congratulations on meeting such a great gal who appreciates you for the cool dude you are. Good to know I’m not the only pretty, intelligent, independent, nonconforming woman out here!
Hear us roar!”
Julie,
I heard ya’ll roar today. It wasn’t pretty, but I survived.
You know, I think you guys would be best friends. I can see lots of similarities.