Summer.. summer... summertime

I just love summer. I love the sun, the warm temperatures, and hanging out at the pool. I love sitting out on the patio at a restaurant. I love not needing a jacket, and being able to wear shorts and tshirts at night and not be cold.

I haven't been out of town for little weekend or 3-day trips nearly as much as usual. I do kind of miss taking little trips. Although I'm not sure what I'd want to do or where I'd want to go right now. I should give that more thought.

I stayed in town for the July 4th independence day holiday. Much thanks to Becca for having everyone over - it was a good time! I think I got some pretty good pictures, too.

However - like it or not- fall is coming. And although I'm bummed about the prospect of the colder temperatures and shorter days to come, I guess fall has a few it's own positive things. The NHL hockey season starts up! The first Blue Jackets preseasons game is Sunday the 16th. And new TV shows will be starting soon, too.

Even though I haven't been up to my usual, there's been some new things going on that I haven't done before. New things keep life from getting boring.

• 5k race - I participated in a 5k last weekend. Several of my friends ran. I walked. :) Yet, part of me has a hard time feeling like that was much of an accomplishment because any able-bodied person of my age can walk. Who cares? But I guess it's better than spending the day on the couch, so I should be happy that I got out there and did it. Thanks to Sheila and Amy for walking with me! And I'm so impressed with my friends who came out to run - good for all of you!

• Giving Blood - I'm signed up to give blood for the first time - ever - next week. I'm a little nervous about it and I'm not entirely sure what to expect. I don't even know my blood type. I don't freak out around needles (although I don't like them either - but who does?) But I definitely can't stand the idea of watching blood coming out of my arm. I even have to turn my head away at the doctor's office when they draw only a small amount of blood. Hopefully I can manage to look away for longer than a few minutes, however long giving blood takes. But it's part of a promotion to get free preseason BlueJacket tickets, and my friend George is going with me to give blood too. That's a good idea on their part for a promotion, since hockey tickets are enough to make me put aside my dislike of needles and blood and give anyway. George says that most times when he's had a "blood buddy" who's a woman, she always get rejected for having low iron. So I'm trying to beef up my iron this week by taking supplements. Hopefully it helps, because if I'm gonna do this - I'm AM getting those tickets! :) Wish me luck!