The big project has been the basement construction. Now granted we're having it done so it's not like I've spent the summer drywalling (as if) but it's required us to move everything in the basement to the garage. Which means I went through everything and purged, sold furniture and items on kijiji, and boxed the rest up to keep.
Anyway, it's a big project - one that we've wanted to do for a long time and we're really excited about having a home office for Wayne and a finished place for guests to stay when they come (otherwise known as Apartment 2B). And as mentioned before, a salon area for me!
At this point we're up to painting. Back in the spring when we were discussing with our contractor ways to cut down on the bottom line, I willingly and enthusiastically agreed to do the painting. Dumb. As I type this out with my clawed hands and sore wrists, I am seriously second guessing this frugal assignment I agreed to.
And because I like overextending myself, I also took on a much smaller project of updating Will's room to a "teen boy room". Gone are the bunk beds and in with a real queen size bed for my growing man. Fresh paint, new curtains and different wall art made it a fun update!
The peaceful and relaxing side of summer comes in the many hours spent outside because I think this has been the most climate pleasing summer in years! We've taken a lot of walks and I love to hang out in the backyard and read.
Speaking of reading, I've worked up quite a ferocious appetite for the written word and it's been divine! I just finished Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death" and it was an extremely eye-opening book about the state of modern culture. I've also just finished "He Remembers the Barren" by Katie Schuermann. As one who has struggled with secondary infertility, I can personally relate to this book that deals with many questions women often ask themselves and often times never get answers to. This book needs to be in every church library and used as a valuable resource by every pastor. I wish I had this in hand years ago but better late than never. You can listen to an Issues, etc podcast of her here.
All the hours of painting have afforded much opportunity to listen to many podcasts. A Sacramentally Shaped Life , The Scriptural Content of the Historic Liturgy and from Circe, On Igniting a Love of Learning in Your Students. I have also really enjoyed a podcast series from one of my favourite bloggers Edie from Life in Grace. It's a 7 part series titled The Life You Love Manifesto and I found much inspiration here!
We celebrated the 4th of July this year on the home front and because it's also our anniversary, we threw a party. I had accrued quite a collection of red, white and blue party items. It seems over the last number of years anytime I was at Target in the States or when I was recently introduced to the famed Hobby Lobby, I would purchase in mass quantities whatever 4th of July party paraphernalia I could find - justifying my purchases with the conviction that I would have a party. And finally after 4 years or so, party we did!
The kids have both just completed summer camp. Will passed the Bronze Cross lifesaving swimming level and is well on his way to being a lifeguard! He did very well by earning a 100% on both his written and practical exam. He certainly doesn't get it from me - I swim like a rock.
Zanna enjoyed a "Sprouting Chefs Camp" at our local agriculture museum. She adopted a chicken for the week and cooked such culinary treats as Asian dumplings, cupcakes, sorbets and salads. She had a blast!
Now we're just enjoying these last days of being home before we get back in the minivan and travel to Wisconsin. Will's social calendar has filled up with friends wanting to see him before he leaves. We've got VBS at church in the mornings and I've been working on getting the school year ready for Zanna.
Busy, happy summer days!
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