Vacation time!

After months of work, hockey and virtual school it’s finally vacation time. I cannot wait to enjoy our long weekend with family and friends. This week, outside of Wednesday, was really productive for me at work. Consequently, this sets me up from a strong finish to the month even with missing two days next week. For once, I can go on vacation and not worry about work.

This afternoon, we got some huge thunderstorms with lots of rain and lightning. We were under a severe storm warning and flood warning for a good part of the afternoon. There was so much lightning close by that I was concerned that our power would start glitching. Thankfully, the power stayed on and the tech issues were avoided. I was surprised my clients couldn’t hear the thunder.

Some of the lightning strikes from this afternoon

This evening the boys’ and Goalielocks girlfriend ran errands to getting ready for vacation time. First stop was Dick’s Sporting Goods. We needed to get some fishing and snorkeling gear. Additionally, I had been eyeing a new sub hat and swimsuit from Carrie Underwood’s collection. Hopefully, the suit won’t look like a dumpster fire. They had a super cute coverup by DSG, but it already had holes in it.

Our next stop was Total Wine. Obviously, I had to ensure we are well stocked for the weekend. I placed the order during the day, so I just had to check in and have them bring it out. I loved the convenience and ease of the curbside pickup. Afterwards, we headed to Barnes and Noble, but couldn’t go in since it now closes at 8:00 pm. Unfortunately, they had to shorten their hours due to staffing issues. Lastly, we headed to BJ’s to pick up the remainder of our groceries. The curbside pickup was not nearly as smooth as Total Wine. Unfortunately, the clerk running the pick-up was fighting major tech issues. Once I walked into the store, it was a quick process.

Here’s a list of our day’s activities:

*I’m now reading Rebecca by Daphne De Maurier.

*I ran 2 miles and walked a mile. It went quite well.

*Did I mention it was vacation time?

*Tonight we’re enjoying ice cream and watching the NHL draft.

*Jake was able to have a nice lunch with Jon and Brandi before they headed for Yellowstone. I’m so jealous.

*For dinner, the hubby made vodka sauce pasta.

*My favorite surprise on the underwater cams, I watch during work, is seeing an octopus. Today I watched the safari cam, which never disappoints.

*Today’s word of the day is skitter, which means to move lightly or quickly.

*I took my puppies including sweet Anakin for a walk. Today he didn’t pull my arm off or anything like that. I put on his harness, so I’d have more control over him outside. Also, the flies are still here. Did I mention I hate gnats, flies, and mosquitos? I was finally able to hang the fly traps. Nobody loves flies.

TMinus Seven

It’s tminus seven until Jake, and my brother and his wife head to Scandinavia for an epic adventure.  Jake and I spent our morning picking up a few last-minute items from Kohl’s. It’s going to be in the 40s-50s, so a light jacket should suffice.  Since we live in Florida our fall wardrobe for Scandinavian weather isn’t quite up to par.

After Kohl’s we headed to Barnes and Noble.  I’ve been reading book after book as I work my way through the top 500 fiction and non-fiction books.  I’m currently reading One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, but should finish it in the coming days.  It’s delightful this far, quite the departures from Tolstoy’s Resurrection.  I’d highly recommend both novels.  For the trip, I bought Stieg Larsson’s Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Since paperbacks were 3 for $30, I was seriously tempted to by several books.  I behaved and walked out with only two.

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In addition to Larsson’s novel, I picked up a book on Swedish grammar.  I love DuoLingo, but I needed to read through the grammatical rules.  Every night I try to spend at least 30 minutes practicing Swedish before reading for the last hour before bed.  I don’t expect to be fluent, but I hope to at least be able to communicate in Swedish while in Stockholm.  As an aside, there isn’t DuoLingo for Finnish or Finnish grammar books at our Barnes and Noble.    Please see video below for what I imagine I’ll sound like.

Debbieandboysatpurplestride

I am super excited, not just for the trip, but for November’s Purple Stride.  This year I’m unable to run due to my left ankle, so I’m taking on a different role.  For this year’s event, I’m happy to announce that I am the Team Chair.  I’ll be in charge to driving team results and recruitment.  Those of you on the fence of joining team Deb Force Five – now it the time to join.   If you’re not in Florida that’s okay!  You can join us as a virtual strider.   Join by clicking here.  I’ll leave you with one of Freddy Mercury’s iconic live performances.  I, for one, cannot wait to see the Queen movie coming out next week.