Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- The Epiloge

It took me 2 days to get through the entire book. No, I'm not going to reveal what happens. Yes, it was a great book. Which one is my favorite? I'm not sure but this last one has to be right at the top of the list.

So what's next? I think "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell. Time for some serious reading before the summer is over. We will see though, I might just browse through the book section of the new Super Target and pick up one more fictional romance before I get too serious. There will be time for serious when school starts..... I can't believe that this year I'm counting down the days before school starts for both Drew and I.

Happy 90th Birthday

Saturday we attended a 90th birthday party for my grandfather.

Drew read the latest Harry Potter book from start to finish. Now it is my turn to read but I have a feeling it will take me more than one day to get done.

Mark seems to have a talent for catching me with an odd expression on my face.

The kids amused themselves watching the water ripple across the pool. All in all it was a perfect summer day.

Before and After

Before starting my fitness program-

Currently I'm working out an hour a day 6 days a week and really watching my calories closely. I've still got a long way to go but I'm pleased with the progress.

Guard Start

Today was Drew's first day of Guard Start. It is a pre-lifeguard training class. In addition to the class the kids have to work as a volunteer for 4 weeks at the pool. It was more work that Drew thought it would be but I think he'll enjoy it after he gets used to the time in the water.

The haircut

This is Drew about 2AM Monday morning as he left for camp. I can't believe how mature he looks with this haircut. Where did my baby boy go?

The calm before the storm

After 13 years with a child in the house I forgot how quiet it can be and how good it feels to have a good book to read in the quiet. This summer I've zipped through 6 or 7 romance novels and have enjoyed every minute of it. I've got a couple more to breeze through before the new Harry Potter book comes out on July 21.

I have everything done except fingerprinting so I guess I'm ready to go back to work/ school. I'm enjoying this week of rest before we launch into more preparations for Drew to start back. Starting Monday Drew will be in Guard Start, a pre-Lifeguard training class. Two weeks of that and he'll be back to school. I really love this school schedule. I get to enjoy the vacation time with Drew and he doesn't get completely bored each summer waiting for school to start. Mark and I did the bulk of the back-to-school uniform shopping while Drew was gone this week. Drew will be so excited that he can wear black clothes (uniforms) at the new school. Drew will be so happy that he doesn't have to go shopping for uniforms. He might even find himself liking uniforms if he isn't careful.


I signed up for a quilting class today. I'm debating though. Do I really want to take quilting or start working on the costume projects I have planned? I ought to get Mark's pirate shirt cut out and then decide if I really need to take the quilting class now or if I should wait a few weeks. I got Simplicity 3758 to make some shirts for Mark (and I.) See it here.

It's the little things

Even my feet are shrinking. I am thrilled by the fact that my feet are now medium width instead of wide. I can't wait to go shoe shopping.

I worked on the 3rd and 4th of July selling fireworks. I had a great time helping out the local Boys and Girls Club by working as a volunteer in their booth for a few hours each day.

I shocked my 13 year old son by being able to fit into one of his new shirts.

I kicked up my work outs and started counting calories (to some degree) and dropped 4 pounds this week. I'm so glad to see the numbers on that scale finally changing.

I started water aerobics and I have been really enjoying it. So now I'm working out for an hour 6 days a week. 5K on the treadmill 3 days a week and water aerobics the other 3, then just a 30 minute walk on Sundays.

I took 2 tests last week and aced them both. Why didn't I mention this last week? I just got my test results back this week for one of the tests.

My 13 year old is getting ready to leave for a week at Scout camp. He leaves in less than 2 hours. This is his first sleep away camp so I'm a little excited and a little nervous. He got his hair cut so he wouldn't roast a camp. I can't believe how mature he is starting to look.

I started shopping for uniforms for my son to go back to school. It isn't that I'm excited for him to go back to school, but I'm glad to get at least some of the shopping done and out of the way. When Drew goes back to school, I'm hoping to head back to work (at a regular 9 to 5 type job.)

Almost nothing in my closet fits me anymore. It is time to get my sewing machine out and do some work on the clothes that I really love.