June Happenings and Lack of Challenges

Gosh, it's June already!  By the middle of this month it will "officially" become summer.  Although here in Pensacola, it already feels like we're in the midst of summertime heat and humidity! 

I have a lot going on in the next 30 days and have decided not to perform a monthly challenge for June.  Now, before you go calling me a total slacker, I promise you that I'm not getting rid of my monthly goals!!  After all, I slimmed down and ran my first ever 5k in March and I read four novels and wrote reviews on them in April.  In May I took time off for my surgery.  Now here in June I'm taking on a few new roles that will require my attention. 

First, and foremost, Vivian's "Mother's Day Out" program is canceled for the entire month of June.  Do you know what that means?  It means NO BREAK for me.  No looking forward to each Tuesday when I have almost four hours to myself.   It means that I will most likely be a CRAZY PERSON by June 8 or sooner.  Therefore, it would be difficult for me to dig deep into my local roots (as I had originally intended for the May monthly challenge) with Vivian always by my side.  After all, I want to speak to historians when I don't have a toddler in tow.  I'd like to visit a few historical museums without having to chase her around the whole time or scold her for touching restricted objects.

Secondly, I'm taking on a leadership role with my moms club that I joined in October.  I'm serving on their board as Vice President and will be working with four other wonderful ladies.  I am excited and nervous about it.  Mostly I look forward to offering my help and sharing ideas with this great club who has welcomed me since I moved to this town. 

Thirdly, we're having a lot of guests and visitors come to our house in June!  We have three different families coming to stay with us.  I can't wait!  I love to play hostess.  I enjoy cooking for our guests.  In addition, I look forward to grilling outside, playing games and just talking with folks that I don't see very often.  The Fernandez Bed and Breakfast is now open!  Book your reservations now!

Plus now that I'm feeling better since my gallbladder was removed, I want to head out to the beach, visit the pool and do all the fun things that Florida has to offer its residents.  It's time I act like a native and soak up the sun (with sunscreen that is)!  Through my contacts and social groups, we have a dozen or more activities and field trips planned -- blueberry picking, a visit to the butterfly house in Navarre Beach, free kids movies at the local theatre, storytime at the library, a stroll through the booming farmers' markets and more.  My calendar is quickly filling up!!!

I'm also planning to take a self-defense class.  Furthermore, I want to look into finding a special activity that Kirk and I can do together as a couple (No, not that!  We already do enough of that! :-)  I'd be interested in attending a pottery class or taking up dancing.  The city has free bands on the beach every week in the summer so we'd like to arrange for a sitter to watch Viv one evening so we can attend one of those performances.   We may also consider surfing lessons or something else unique for us too.   But who knows.... we may just end up drinking beer and eating chicken fingers at Buffalo Wild Wings.  Anything to get us out of the house would be fine.  ;-)  This community has so much to offer so the possiblities are endless!

In addition, I will be diving into that cookbook I mentioned in a previous post.  I'm serious about making this project happen.  I have made so many great dinners and baked goodies over the past seven months.  I want to chronicle my journey -- "The Year I Really Learned To Cook...."  Or something like that.  I'm always re-thinking new titles....  If there is one thing I am doing besides going crazy as a stay-at-home mom in 2010, it's kicking things up a notch in my kitchen.  So what better way to show off what I've accomplished then by compiling a book of all my family's favorite recipes?!  

Since I don't have a "new" challenge, I'm keeping up with my old ones this month.  Jonita the Book Chick and I are both currently reading J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye."  After that, I'll start "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens which was sent to me by my husband's stepmother as a post-surgery gift -- one of her classical favorites.  I'm also trying to complete the Jillian Michaels 30-day shred workouts again, at least four times per week.  Today was my first day and let me tell you.... Argggh!  It's like beginning all over again!  After almost six weeks of not working out, I was so tired by the time the twenty minutes were up.  I want to get on my treadmill later today too but I'll be sure to take it slow and easy.  My body is still recovering, I suppose.  I know I'll gain my endurance back but I have to suck it up for now and realize that ten push-ups are better than none and hopefully I'll be up to doing 50 again soon.  (Blah, blah blah, I know I shouldn't really complain!)

So I'll be around -- just busier than usual. But who isn't during the summertime, am I right?! No one wants to be sitting by the computer all day long. Well, not me anyway....  

Even though I don't have a scheduled monthly challenge in June, you can see that I have a lot planned to keep my mind and body busy.  Actually, I think my real obstacle will be to sit still and just relax!   But hey, I did enough lying around in May so I'm ready to be on the move in June!  If you have suggestions as to what challenges I can take on in July, August and beyond, let me know!  I'm still looking for ideas and welcome your feedback.

I can't wait to share even more of my discoveries, activities and road trips with you in the coming months, especially since this is my first summer here in Florida.  Let me be the first to wish you a wonderful summer in your neck of the woods! 

To the month of June, I say CHEERS to you and to me!  :-)  Now let's go have some fun!