1)I got a semi-real job. I will be a long term sub for a 5th grade teacher who is going on maternity leave. I start the first day of school and will be finished just before Christmas break. I am actually really looking forward to this, even this will be the first time, in my ENTIRE life, that I will be in a public school for any extended period of time. But I'll save that for another post... As much as I'm looking forward to a paying position this fall, that won't pay the bills this summer.
2)I got another semi-real job. I am spending my summer doing exactly what I love to do best: play with kids. I am babysitting for two different family that live close (relatively; I mean, they're not in Oxford, MS). The kids are great and all love to play and read. They love dogs so I can bring Beene with me on occasion. It has been a lot of fun getting back in the nanny swing of things.
3)I have been a tour guide extraordinaire! Now that the summer has melted all of the horrible nightmares of that wet, mushy stuff that kept coming out of the sky, everyone has decided that DC is the place to be. I have hosted friends from college, friends from Memphis, and of course my wonderful family. We have seen just about everything there is to see in the city, including some of the very touristy things that I would never have thought to visit.
4)I have been laughing my rear off at the ridiculous weather people who think that the weather is SOOOOOO hot and unbearable here. Yes, it has been hot. Yes, it has even been a little humid. But to publicly bitch that "We have had 11 days in a row of over 90 degree temperatures in June." I mean really?! When you hit 10 days in a row over 100, then we can talk. Oh, and mediocre news guy, those break and bake cookies you threw in your car before your shift will most definitely not cook in your car, even if it is 100 degrees. Just so you know...
5)I have been tinkering around on our new free piano. I'm not good and I know that J is so so sick of hearing the same song over and over, but I can actually play the first page without making any mistakes and from memory. Next two pages, here I come!
6)I have been tending that old 400 sq. ft. garden we have out back. We are super pumped because it has been producing really well so far this summer. I don't know if we've made our money back, but I know that we will in a couple of season. We have had a plethora of lettuce, but now that it's hot, lettuce season is over. Back to buying that at the grocery. Our green beans are working out ok, but I think next year, we'll start a little earlier and with a whole lot more plants. Our tomatoes are finally starting to turn red and they are delicious! We will definitely have plenty of those for the rest of the summer, most likely even in the fall if I can figure out this canning and freezing thing. Our squash have fallen flat. Who would have thought that the only vegetable that can grow itself would not grow in the Jones garden? Well, whatever squash, I like watermelon better, and we have FIVE of those! I can't wait; Vodka melon party at my house. Make your reservations now.
Hope your summer is as productive as mine! :)
