Welcome Summer 2010

Welcome Summer! Well, it isn't exactly quite here on the calender, but when the kids get out of school (even though I am kid-less), it means summer has officially started. And today was their last day of school, so alas it is summer time! Because I only work 15-16 days a month I get to enjoy the other 15-16 days that I have off, so I have decided that this will be a summer that I stay busy. Not like I usually am not busy, but it is going to be a fun busy. So the last two days I have been off and I was thinking, wow, they are almost over but what have I done with them. Well lets see, the gym takes up 2 hours of my day, but really about three because I always spend a little time when I get back pulling weeds or watering plants. Yesterday I went to Costco only to return something and then I drove to Columbia, SC to the Temple. I spent 40 minutes in the little LDS book store, the only thing close to Deseret Book within hundreds of miles from here. I bought a few CD's, a piano book, a book, and my Ensign from May and June, since I was delinquent in renewing my subscription, but have no fear, because I have payed my dues in time to receive my July edition.
I had a wonderful time in the Temple. I went with the only reason in mind to serve someone else. That person being Hannah Rock; born in 1770 in Kentucky. The amazing thing was that just as I was going to leave the Celestial Room some great counsel was given to me as I read from D&C chapter 6. I have read this chapter over and over again because it has become one of my favorites in the past few weeks, but something new caught my eye, which gave me new insight and hope. A few weeks ago the following quote by John A. Widstoe was read in Sacrament meeting, "I believe that the busy person on the farm, in the shop, in the office, or in the household, who has his worries and troubles, can solve his problems better and more quickly in the house of the Lord than anywhere else. If he will leave his problems behind and in the temple work for himself and for his dead, he will confer a mighty blessing upon those who have gone before, and quite as large a blessing will come to him, for at the most unexpected moments, in or out of the temple will come to him, as a revelation, the solution of the problems that vex his life. That is the gift that comes to those who enter the temple properly, because it is a place where revelations may be expected." If that doesn't make you want to go more to the temple, then I don't know what else will. I have a testimony of this and have seen it play out over and over again in my life, but even more so in the past 6 months. The thing I love about having to drive 90 miles to the temple is it gives me plenty of time to ponder and listen. Which sometimes, we need. But the sad thing is we too often find ourselves too busy to take the time to listen. The time there and back makes my temple experience so much more.
A little tangent...So this summer is going to be all about fun. I am told that I am too serious. Forget serious. I'm going to be more relaxed and just have fun while enjoying the ride! So to celebrate the kids getting out of school or the start of summer, I spent the morning and mid afternoon searching for a new community bank and talking about refinancing my home. Yes, I know it's about time so you don't have to tell me. I met some pretty great people and almost felt like I was back in Nampa where everyone knows your name. Then because it was 93 degrees and felt like the middle of August, I made my way to the Middlebrooks pool, where Sharon and Shelly were already hanging out there. Not 30 minutes into my enjoyment it started to sprinkle and a few seconds later we had ourselves a true southern storm. It down poured for a good 30 minutes giving us 1/2 inch of rain according to Allen's rain meter. Well, by then we had had ourselves a lovely chat inside of course, before the sun came back out and we continued our sunbathing pleasures. I left Sharon's with a bag of goodies meaning squash and cucumbers. I have never been a fan of squash until this year. I'm not quite sure if that is because my taste buds have changed or if I have just been introduced to the southern way of cooking it. Nick's grandmother makes this amazing squash casserole. I know my western friends only do it with brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter...can you believe they have never heard of such a thing out here...for reals. So I came home and made me some western style squash, cucumbers and vinegar and an old recipe of chicken, salsa, cream cheese and bread crumbs. It was pretty much to die for and the first dinner I have cooked in about 4 weeks. I know, shame on me, but us single girls don't find enjoyment eating by ourselves. Eating to me is a social event.
So of course I can't stay home for long. Always have to be going, so I called Sharon back up and we went to explore Rita's. Now my sister Tristen rang me recently to tell me that we had a Rita's in Charlotte. I didn't know what she was talking about, but then vaguely recalled her telling me about this place she visited in DC. Well let me tell you, Sharon and I will be going back at least once a week during the summer, which means I might just have to add an extra spinning class to my week or just eat the sugar free. So Rita's has Italian ice...my all time favorite. But they also have Frozen Custard. Not quite as delicious as Nelsons in Bountiful, but close. So we had custard on the bottom then I had mango and lemonade Italian ice, then more custard. Sounds, big and bad for you, but really it was like maybe 6oz. I think next time I will stick with just the Italian Ice. They rotate 12 of 52 flavors at a time. They even had pumpkin pie. I think I will save that for the fall and enjoy all of the flavors of summer. I tried banana and watermelon with real fresh fruit. They were okay, but I love sour, so I think Lemonade will be my favorite for now. I forgot to add that Rita's is next to Trader Joe's. So of course we had to stop in to see what we could find. Sharon had never been there and found herself some gluten free pancake mix. And I found me some creamed honey, since I am out of Grandpa Randy's whipped honey. I am sure it will not add up to his, but at least I will have it for my English Muffins that I pretty much live on, until I can get mom to send me more. I did do a load of laundry and I really need to clean the mold from the toilets, which I swear I just did, and now that I have my new Dyson Vacuum cleaner that I absolutely adore, I need to do some more vacuuming, and I am sure there are other things, but for now they can wait while I enjoy the start to what I am sure will be the best summer ever with or without you!