[soxmom]

I know its been a rough summer for some.......and we are all feeling
the effects of the economy. What with gas and food prices.....the
looming election...the heat........just everything.

But lets start a positive thread. What have you done this summer
in spite of it all?????

Ill start.....well, obviously Im not able to travel much but with 4 kids
home Ive got to do something...

We are fortunate to have a pool in our backyard. So this summer
has been spent in the pool with a few breaks inside to grab a popsicle.
Ive been doing some childcare for my bff who is newly single. Her
dd is 7 right between my 5 and 9 year olds so they all play together
quite nicely. And if one of mine is gone she can play with the other
one. We call it "Camp Sox".

We have also taken advantage of the local libraries childrens programs.
My dd9 is taking knitting once a week. And the younger ones are
doing a "Wild Reads" program once a week which is a reading program
that benefits the Heifer Foundation. These are all free and best
of all the library has great AC.

We've built many a fort in my family room and my kids and friends have entertained us with many a play/show.

Has anyone else done anything fun in spite of it all?????


Im dedicating this thread to someone very special and they
know who they are

[Debbie D]

Wow, you're really doing some quality things with your kids this summer...much better than sitting in front of the TV watching movies or playing video games. They'll thank you when they're older!

Not doing much at all. The heat has really done a number on me this summer, so I take my dog for a walk every morning before it gets too hot. Also obsessed with our new pond in the yard...I love watching the fish grow and swim. It's weird to see that they have definite qualities to them... three are quite nonassertive, while two are bullies and push the others out of the way to get the food. Of course, they're now the largest! It's fun, but a lot of work, and we've been learning as we go along. The bonus is I have less grass to mow!!

Now that my 4 week session with extreme fatigue has lessened, I'm also going to the gym every weekday to exercise and lift weights. Trying not to overdo it, though.

How about everybody else?

[SandyC]

Despite the economy and Jim not feeling 100%, we are trying to enjoy our summer. We took a three day trip to the Dells and reconnected. We are heading out to see Joel Osteen tomorrow night and the Chicago Cubs on the 27th. Since I am the family connection hub, I am getting the extended fam together finally whether they like it or not. haha

The boys are enjoying their summer with their gf's. We also have a Wii and have been spending time as a family playing that at night. Despite the heat, we are finding things to do that doesn't cost too much money.

Thanks for this thread, it's nice to think positive.

[Kitty]

Great idea, Sox! Thanks for starting this thread!

I've been staying inside mostly - due to the heat and also not driving.....

Since I love to cook I've been working on my recipe collection and getting everything categorized so I can easily find what I'm looking for.

I found my Mom's old recipe box and have been reading some of the ones I remember so fondly. It's like a walk backwards in time. Honestly....I can read the recipe for her Applesauce Cake and it's Christmas again (she only made this cake at Christmas time) and I can actually smell it baking.

Many of her recipes are in her handwriting on scraps of paper and I've put those in individual baggies to help preserve them.

I'm also trying to write note cards to everyone but I can only do several a day 'cos it makes my hand hurt to do too much writing at one time.

Despite the heat I'm actually having a nice summer. Just me and the cats cooped up inside....napping when we feel like it......just enjoying each others company!

[soxmom]

What a great idea Kelly. My little ones are going with my dh this weekend
to the mountains to see his Mom. I think I will start on my recipe collection.
Its a huge job but I could start it.

Thanks for the idea.

[Kitty]

Bumping this thread up 'cos I know there are more people here with positive things to share......

[Chemar]

I have just finished doing a large recipe notebook with all the gathered recipes over the years.

our summer got off to a very positive start when my eldest son graduated from college

despite the bad economy sales havent been too bad, even tho summer is usually a slow time for online sales sooo that is a big +

nice to read everyone else's positives too

[AfterMyNap]

Good bloody idea, Sox!

This has been a great summer in MI. I've been enjoying the weather very much. Last year it was nearly impossible for me to be outdoors even for a few minutes.

These last two days have been our worst all season so I take a lot of cool showers and go on the swing shift. If I can get up before dawn and push down a pot of coffee, I have a few good hours to spend outdoors. So, I do it.

Pretty soon a friend and I will make our venture into Lake MI for our annual 4-hour swim. I'm looking forward to that. If the weather is tolerable, I'll be attending my local Civil War Muster, it's one of my favorite summer outings. The blender chicks will be by this weekend for some fun, and of course, I've been playing with tools in the early mornings. I just love doing crummy things to innocent wood.

I'm thankful for my scooters because I can scarcely walk anymore, they can take me all over the place, so I let 'em. Tomorrow at dawn I'll be scooting to the store to procure some produce and parity products.

[MelodyL]

What have Alan and I done this summer?? Well since he has the foot ulcer and wears a boot, and we have no family to speak of, well we just enjoyed each other's company and I sit on my friend's porch each evening, or they come and sit on my porch.

May not seem like much fun, but I'm just so glad to get up in the morning, and breath some air, that I see the world as half full and not as half empty.

I probably sound like Mary Poppins, but whatever gets me up and through the day, well I'm happy to do it. This summer I lost some more weight, I actually was able to buy a blouse today, size Medium. And if you don't think THAT's an accomplishment, let me tell you. I USED TO WEAR A SIZE 24 AND A HALF.

My friends think I have lost my mind because I buy these outrageous tops. I don't give a hoot. If I look like Auntie Mame, well I look like Auntie Mame.

It puts a smile on Alan's face so that's all I need.

And, oh yes, one more new summer thing. It happened yesterday.

Each morning we used to go to Dunkin Donuts. Do you know how much two breakfasts and two coffees cost in that place?? Over $8.00. So sometimes, we'd bring our own muffins and just get the coffee.

Well two days ago, a new place opened up about 7 blocks from our house. We went there this morning.

Two egg whites (or two eggs) on a roll, WITH FREE COFFEE cost $1.75.

Just imagine. We go over to the fresh coffee urns and we make our own, just like we like it. This morning I made french vanilla mixed with some other kind of coffee, add a bit of half and half, some stevia and we were in heaven. The whole bill (for the two of us) was $3.80.

Good Lord. Friendly people, nice cup of coffee in the morning, and an egg white sandwich. Who could ask for more??

And they are opening up a Walgreens on the same block. I've never been to a Walgreens.

And for the first time, I wore a bright yellow blouse the other day. Never did that in 60 years on this earth. Always dark colors.

Not any more!!!!! lol

So I am in the youth of old age, and this summer is seeing me come alive in living color.

With cheap breakfasts!!!! lol

Melody

[snoozie]

Well in spite of the fuel prices we are hookin up the RV and hitting the road. Going to the chili cook off in duck creek. I am hoping to get some fishing in also.

Then on Monday our church is starting vacation bible school and the kids (teens) and I are teaching.

Love the recipe ideas, I have several recipes here and there from mom and I should consolidate them.

Mel, doesn't wearing yellow just make ya feel good?

Have a great weekend everyone...Sue