Southern Summer

I am coming to my last week in Pineville and I thought I would take a look back on what I have done this summer. It has been an interesting summer to say the least.
We definitely accomplished our goal of remodeling the house. It no longer smells of smoke and is a clean, functioning home. So far, we painted every room (from dark paneling which took a lot of work), got new appliances in the kitchen, refinished the cabinets, got a new counter tops, replaced all the light fixtures, put in new toilets and vanities in all the bathrooms,new shower heads and shower rods and curtains, rewired and replaced all the outlets and light switches. And that is just what we did ourselves.We are still waiting on the contractor who is suppose to come and replace the sliding glass door. On top of this we have gotten new furniture for the living room and office, and pretty bedding to sleep in, and amazing rugs for the floor. It looks like a whole new house and I am really proud of all the changes we have made because they were sorrily needed.
Furthermore, I connected with a lot of my family. I got to know my Aunt Melinda and her partner Shirley who live in Lafayette, and love them to pieces. We went to movies, swam in their pool, played with their puppy Seattle, and drove to New Iberia to look at old plantations, which were beautiful and rich with history. Also we spend a few days in Lake Charles with my Aunt Barbara and her husband Mr. Judd. They have a beautiful home on the lake and we had an amazing crab feed.I slept in Egyptian Cotton sheets. I might give my first born for a set of those, they were amazing. And we just got back from Arkansas, from seeing my Nan and Paran. Those are my godparents for you northerns. They bought the man who own Tyson Chicken's old house. It was amazing, marble everywhere and more bedrooms than any person could ever need. Downfall of this all they are in the middle of nowhere with 70 acres. At night I would text and talk to people if I was lucky, I had to sit in a certain position and not move my arm because if I did I lost my single bar of service.
I also think I have gotten to know my father a lot better because I spent the most time with him I have under one roof since I was in 8th Grade. I love playing cards and making dinner with him, we have a blast.
Also, I went to Oregon for a week, which I was blessed enough to have my sister come down and spend time/ save me from the most hellatious week ever. The pros were that we got to go watch the Olympic trials( which was absolutely fun to watch so many amazing athletes give it their all), running with a 72 year old former Vegas show girl and having her kick my ass, and going ATVing. But things are strained with my maternal grandma after my parents got divorced she has embraced my Dad rather than her own daughter and made it clear that she didn't want to spend time with us, which is a shame & rather hurtful. What would you say if you asked to take a picture before you leave to remember your time there ( in which she wouldn't talk to either my sister or I) and were rejected and as she stated, "She didn't want to remember this"? I don't feel like there is a lot to say. But I got a whirlwind trip to Washington in after taking the train with my sister, and I got to see Sam, Hales, Rach, Meghan, and Sarah, and most importantly my MOM :) I miss her a ton and am so excited to see her next week.
I also have had a lot of quiet time, which is nice because I got a chance to think somethings over and relax. I started painting using mainly acrylics again and I forgot how much I love it. I am so glad that since I found out I had mono that it was now not during the school year and had the time to recover. The only bad part, is the fact I am just now able to return to working out and playing tennis. Not doing what I literally do everyday because I love it, was really hard on me. Because I feel like it is going to be a hard game of catch up to get back to where I was.
Right now, there is a lot to look forward to. My sister comes for a visit tomorrow (to surprise my Dad for his birthday). I also planned my Dad a birthday party next weekend which should be so awesome to see our family and friends & let them see all of the house, my trip to Canada with Haley is going to be amazing, hanging out with Garrett, and going to Bumpershoot with Meagan is going to be a blast... More importantly I get to see my friends and family that I have been missing so much in a week and I can't wait :)