Welcome, Summer! (Pool’s Open…)

What can I say about this weekend? WELCOME, SUMMER! The pool opened for the season on Saturday, so you know where I spent several hours both Sunday and today (I know, you’re already asking … why not Saturday? Because clearly when I scheduled my hair appointment for this Saturday back in March, I failed to think about the fact that the last weekend in May is Memorial Day weekend).

Things got off to a little rocky start on Sunday – the weather was absolutely beautiful, but they kicked everyone out of the pool around 3 p.m. after some little kid threw up in the pool. Can’t say I can remember ever going to a pool that completely shut down for something like that, but I’d already gotten about three hours in by that point, so I guess maybe that was my sign to head in. Speaking of signs … the sign the lifeguard put on the gate made me roll my eyes. It read: “Pool closed due to vomate.” I realize I’m a spelling and grammar snob, but does anyone else notice something wrong here? And yes, unlike the last few years, the lifeguards are definitely native English-speakers.

Today was another beautiful day – headed out to the gym just after 8:00 this morning, so I had plenty of time to get my two hours in and still get back in time to get sunscreened up, dressed and down to the pool in time to stand at the gate for a couple minutes before they opened up (although I did have two other people beat me down there – that doesn’t happen often). I managed to get about four hours in before the clouds started rolling in … meaning I’ve managed to grow several shades darker this weekend. Happy summer!! 🙂

A Little Reminder to Myself …

Came across this the other day (thank you, once again, Yogi Teas, for your inspired labels), and I found it particularly applicable this week.

I don’t know what provoked it, but I’ve been a little down this week. Feeling a little lonely. Alone. Ostracized. Excluded. I guess I was due for it – this year has been pretty free of lows for me.

That’s the thing I’ve never been able to quite conquer – the fact that I seem to be somewhat of a walking contradiction. I’ve never been afraid to go after the things that I want the most, but I’m consumed by fear of rejection when it comes to getting the one thing I truly want more than anything in the world. I love being around people, yet I find myself so crippled by fear of saying or doing the wrong thing, or what other people are thinking, or of judgements, that I have a hard time really being completely comfortable around anyone until I know that they are receptive to my friendship.

Much in the same vein, I do have trouble letting my guard down, and being vulnerable. Maybe it’s age, or maybe it’s just oversensitivity, but I feel like the few occasions in which I have allowed myself to open up, I’ve ended up getting hurt. I realize that pain and struggle is part of the process, but so much of me wonders why it has to be so hard for people to just be real. Say what they mean. Mean what they say. Avoid conflict. Though I’m starting to think that in my attempts to avoid conflicts, I’ve hurt myself – squandered opportunities, been passed over for someone more assertive. And that truly hurts my heart.

But I’m not going to wallow in the fallout of a bad day (which, by all accounts, should have been a great day – had I not allowed myself to feel like the outsider looking in). I’m going to use it as a learning experience, and motivation to know that something amazing is at the end of the tunnel. A reward for the struggles. To finally get that ultimate happiness that is sure to be the result of overcoming what may now appear to be impossible challenges. As much as I hate the saying “good things come to those who wait,” I do hope it’s true – because as long as I feel like I’ve been waiting, something pretty amazing has to be ahead of me.

48 Things that Will Make You Feel Old

Wow, they aren’t kidding … this definitely does make me feel old. It’s scary to think how quickly time passes. Especially since some of these made me think of high school (you know, the height of the Backstreet Boys and N’Sync; Britney before she got married twice, had a couple kids and went crazy; Christina before she got drrty, gained weight, got married, had a kid, got divorced, and started playing with the boys on The Voice; and Jessica got married, had a reality show, got divorced, became a fashion mogul, had another reality show, became a Fashion Star mentor and had a baby). Yup, feeling pretty old.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/things-that-will-make-you-feel-old

Small World…We Aren’t All Like This!

Every year, my mom gets me the Stupidest Things Ever Said calendar. It’s good for an eye roll or giggle…but I came across this one as I was going through the last couple of days, and I couldn’t help but laugh…

Yup, I went to middle and high school in Medina, Ohio. I swear, before you judge – most of us are smarter than this.

Southern Classy, Take 2 … Virginia Gold Cup

On Saturday, my company once again sponsored a tent at the Virginia Gold Cup. I kind of consider it making up for the fact that I never went to Carolina Cup while I was in college – and it’s always fun to get dressed up, Southern Classy style.

Here are a couple shots from a fun day – maybe a little too fun of a day – you know I dig the full skirts and big hats!

Helen and me at the tent

Helen and I rocking our hats

With Heather on the bus

Getting ready to head to The Plains

New Jersey mom arrested after allegedly taking daughter, 5, into tanning booth

New Jersey mom arrested after allegedly taking daughter, 5, into tanning booth.

Just by taking a look at this woman, sadly, I think I’m less concerned about her alleged stupidity as a parent than her obvious extreme tanning bed overuse/addiction (seriously, the woman is bronze. As in, looks like she’s been dipped in bronze, like baby shoes or something). Yikes.

Granted, yes, I went through my tanning bed phase in college and a few years after, but it was never more than a couple days a week, for a few months at a time. I’m a strictly outdoor sun girl these days. I love a good tan, and I spend most of my summer weekends lounging next to the pool, but there’s definitely a line between looking healthy and looking, well … like a wet paper bag.

That said … to my parents: one week a year of 8 hours a day is not intervention-worthy. I realize that by Thursday of Covellifest Beach Week, my skin matches the dinner table. But I have started using sunscreen (yes, SPF 8 counts) and I NEVER look as scary as this woman.