best summer...ever?

As summer vacations go, this one has been one for the books. It began with a tremendous amount of much-needed laziness and ended with what was probably the craziest, most difficult, and tremendously gratifying thing I've ever been a part of.

Since before I was born, my parents have gone out to Montauk every summer for as much time as they can. This year, as with many years past, they spent three glorious weeks of August on the east end. Little did they know that I, along with my two brothers and my Uncle Bill, had been plotting a major project for while they were gone. Over the past three weeks, we renovated the house!

All projects were things that needed to be done but never had been for varying reasons that really don't matter anymore. The only thing that matters is that we did it! It was a tremendous amount of work. In the end, it was a fantastic surprise for my parents! They returned home this past Friday and had absolutely no idea that we had been up to anything of the sort.

Just seeing how happy they were, and how overwhelmed, and even three days later how they're still in awe of what we were able to accomplish in so little time, is enough thanks for me.

I even learned to enjoy the company of my two brothers! Though admittedly I still get irritated by them daily. Such is the life of a sister.

Overall, this experience has created some quite memorable moments, which is why I am inclined to dub this summer...

The Best Summer Ever.

independence day

Despite less-than-celebratory weather, my family convened for our mostly-annual BBQ in honor of Our Nation's Independence. Okay, so in reality we get together for Mom's tuna macaroni salad and my Uncle Gary's rum punch. This year we did the usual, only with a few more layers of clothing on.

It's funny how tired you can get just from sitting around outside for a few hours. I'd swear that I overexerted myself in some major physical activity. In reality, the most energy I expended today was used to play a quick game of Bocce with my older brother. Not terribly taxing. I probably burned more calories going back and forth to the cooler for more of the rum punch.

All that fresh air and drizzly atmosphere has definitely made me rather blah. Not to mention the mounds of food that I somehow consumed. So good, but so, so bad.

Happy 4th of July, all.