I love summer!  Every summer when I have the whole season off I'm reminded of why I love teaching so much.  I definitely don't envy kids and teachers that are on the year round schedule.  I just love, love, love my big, long, blissfully peaceful vacation!  So far I've been working on a lot of projects.  I usually work on school projects, which is funny since it's my time off, and this summer is no different than those of the past.  I love that I can get creative and plan my little tail off for the next school year.  Anyways, I'm having fun working on school projects.

I'm also having fun playing with my cat and working out in the yard.  Well, I'm working out in the yard, but that part isn't that fun actually.  My allergies are horrible this year.  Is it just me, or is this an especially hard year for everyone with allergies?  I've discovered peppermint helps.  Someone mentioned it once and I tried it and it helped.  Go figure!  I never would have thought of it.  I'm hoping that whatever is triggering my allergies will calm down soon.  It makes me feel like I have a bad cold all day and it's awful. 

I had many goals this summer and two of them are accomplished already.  I am so excited!  It's a good feeling to get things done.  I love having goals and I really love reaching them.  Now, I have two more goals and then my summer will be complete.  Well, maybe three actually.  :)  So, summer is project and goal reaching time and I'm loving it.

Father's Day was great and I just have to say that I'm so thankful that I got to spend another holiday with my dad.  He's very imperfect, as we all are, but I am SO thankful for him.  He's never given up on me and he treats me like he is sincerely thankful for me.  I wouldn't trade the opportunity to be with him and my mom for anything.  I'm so glad I get to spend this time of our lives together.  Dad teaches me a lot, and he could easily give up as he faces his challenges, but he never does.  He's a fighter and it's evident that he wants to live, so he works really hard to improve and do the things that are hard.  I also love how much he loves my mom.  Every night he gives her a kiss and tells her he loves her.  I just love that old guy!  I hope we'll get to spend many more holidays together in the future.

I can't believe it has been over a year since I had my last chemotherapy treatment.  It feels very fresh and new still, like it happened yesterday.  I still visit the doctor regularly to get my port flushed and to get my follow-up exams.  I feel so thankful for the wonderful people who work there.  Even after all this time, they still remember me by name, and they sincerely care about how I am doing.  It's good for me to go in as often as I do.  I actually go into the same room where I received my chemotherapy treatments.  When I'm in that room I remember what I've been through and my blessings seem so much greater than they usually do.  As I sit in that room looking at patients receiving their treatments I'm reminded of how much I need to appreciate every day of my life.  It really is a blessing to be alive.

Well, I'm off to water my tomato plants.  Poor things are probably very thirsty at this late hour.  Adios!