Freshening up

I changed the look on the blog a bit. I was looking for “atomic” patterns, which were popular in the ‘50s, and came across this “atomic cocktail” pattern...I loved it! I hope you like it, too. I also have a couple of ideas for the Retro Lounge, including a coffee table that Ken and I can make, and finding some fabric for one of the lampshades. No rush on any of that, but fun to look into it.

Off to bed soon, because I want to get an early start so I can get my workout done and take care of things around here in the morning—I’m heading down to my Mom’s tomorrow to take her to a doctor’s appointment, and help her with whatever she needs done around the house. On Thursday, I’m housesitting for Shane and Matt while they have new windows installed. That’s going to be a real hardship, as I might have to sit by the pool, and as it promises to be a super hot day, I might actually have to get in the pool. *gasp* I KNOW! Can you believe it?! Such demands. Hmm, I hadn’t planned this far ahead, so I need to get the pool bag and a beach towel ready to go for that day. I guess I don’t need the pool frisbee, unless I just want to toss it around the pool and swim to get it myself. haha It won’t be nearly as much fun without Shane and Matt and Ken, and anyone else whoever comes over when we’re poolin’ it, but with as hot as it’s supposed to be that day, I’ll just enjoy getting a chance to cool off!

Happy Fun Pool Time™

I’m sure that no one will fault me for sporadic posting as I enjoy what is left of the summer. In fact, I hope you are enjoying it, too! Things have been fairly busy as we try to cram in all those things you only get to do in the summer, whether it’s a minor league game (South Bend Silverhawks, coming up this Friday), an outdoor concert (The Whistle Pigs at the Studebaker Museum), or just catching a few rays and reading on the deck.

One of this summer’s standouts has been spending some time over at Shane and Matt’s house, which has a super-fantastic in-ground pool! (My strange expression in that picture is because I realized that as I was hunkering down to get in the picture with Shane, I was sticking my ass out all the way to Memphis. I made adjustments. Note my Route 66 huggy!) Hmm, as I try to recall the timeline, I think they moved in late last summer, so they didn’t try to get the pool up and running last year. Once they got it in tip-top shape this summer, they’ve been incredibly hospitable and generous in allowing me to come over and enjoy the pool on these warm and sunny days. (Some of them have been very, very hot, and the pool felt especially good on those days!)

To show that Cousin Shane and I are more alike than not, neither of ever learned how to swim. Oddly enough, I’ve always enjoyed being in the water, whether boating or just bopping around in the ocean or a pool. I just like to be able to touch bottom with my toes, and I don’t like having my head underwater. I’ve tried to be a little more adventurous, and got dunked by the ocean waves a few times in Florida. I also took a spill this past weekend, and got a snootful of water (man, I hate that). But Shane and I kind of encourage each other, and we get on our floaty noodles and head out to the deep end. Matt and Ken are also very encouraging, and Matt told me, “You’re probably swimming more than you realize.” That gave me the rather silly and unrealistic notion that I was hanging out in the pool like a boss. Fuck, yeah.

Pool Time! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Anyway, it’s really been a lot of fun, and this past weekend, they even had a pool party! They cooked burgers and brats, and I took baked beans and some munchies, and others brought snacks and desserts. Everything was really good, despite some afternoon rain. Later in the day, it cleared up enough that some of us were able to hop in the pool for a little while. They had enough food left over that they decided on Round Two the following day, and it ended up being just the four of us and Sherri, a friend from Shane’s work--she was really cool and nice and funny!

We’ve got a few more good days before they close up the pool around Labor Day, and I hope to get over there once or twice more. It’s been some very pleasant days with great company, great talk, relaxation, and listening to some great music. Thanks, Shane and Matt! You guys are peaches! We hope to return the favor later in September, with a little cookout and perhaps a bonfire. We should be getting into some good bonfire weather around that time!

I hope your summer has been as pleasant. Those of us who live in a northern climate know how the winding down of summer feels, and it is very much a bittersweet feeling. It seems like they go by faster and faster, too. I love the advent of football, but I hate to say goodbye to summer. ::sigh::

Summer fun VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL