Finally, summer break is over and done for another year. Am I busted up? No. As a rule, I'm not a huge fan of summer. Yes, I was one of those rare, freakish kids who couldn't wait to be back in school because she didn't know what to do with herself in the summer. Be that as it may, I do appreciate the improved weather and enjoy summer activities, such as shopping at the Farmers Market, swimming at outdoor pools and in lakes, and golfing, to name a few. And, I am a little dismayed by how fast summer seems to pass. Maybe it's an adult perspective.
Even though fall is several weeks away, not to mention that we're in the midst of a short heat wave, leaves are starting to change colors. My time of year is coming and I feel fine.
This summer was pretty jam-packed with activity. Although we didn't manage to get in a family vacation, we did plenty. Okay, maybe it was the boys who did plenty as part of their summer program (trip to Valleyfair, a Lynx game). Simon took a ten-day vacation in Montana with Gpa and Gma. We had house guests for a week—Will, Helena, Bjorn, and Sophia visited from Stockholm, Sweden. We took a trip to Princeton, NJ, to visit Dorothy and David, and took a side trip to Philadelphia to see the King Tut exhibit. In late July, John rode RAGBRAI with Steve. It felt like the summer was full.
Yesterday was the first day of public school in St. Paul. Simon, who started second grade, was positively vibrating with excitement over being reunited with many friends he hadn't seen over the summer, as well as with his teacher, Mrs. Cochran. Kindergarteners don't start until tomorrow so I've had the pleasure of Winston's company, though we did have a "goal-setting" meeting yesterday with his teacher, Ms. Maura.
Winston has come to work with me the past few mornings. Today we met John at his new office, which has some really excellent cubicles (with ergonomic desks that you can raise) and lovely amenities (including an especially nice, large, loungy breakroom). Then we all ate pizza at Cossetta's.
After lunch, Winston and I headed for the MOA to shoe shop at Nordstrom's—and I must say we both made out rather well. Winston found a great pair of Saucony running shoes with yellow trim ("yellow is a symbol for 'fast'"), while I picked up a pair of dark red patent ballet flats and a very comfortable black pump with plaid piping. Red, plaid, ballet flats and skimmers, and pumps with a high heel in a contrasting color were the predominant styles and colors at Nordstrom's. Oh, and I scored a free tube of Laura Mercier lipstick in a color/formula that's about to be discontinued. I love Nordstrom's!
So, now it's time to gear up for fall. John and I have concert tickets to Rush at the Xcel Center (this weekend) and to Sharon Jones at First Avenue (in November). I'm looking forward to a turning a new leaf with a milestone birthday. In October, John and I travel to San Francisco to celebrate said birthday, partaking in fine food and in the pleasure of our own company. Then in November, I'm going to spend a long weekend in New York City with Tracy, Jill Y, and Jill S, as the former and latter are also celebrating the same milestone birthday as I am. Shopping and siteseeing for all my friends. We'll likely be in Princeton for Christmas, and I'm hoping my friend Krista will visit for Thanksgiving. And, publishing starts its fall season of books, which is always a happy time!
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