Real mood: Content.

Happy July 1st, everyone!

Holy crap, it's summer...what the hell...?

Well, not much to really talk about today, save the usual: more notes, more chores, more plans for the future. My parents had a good time out at my nephew's fourth birthday party, and in a couple of weeks, my sister is coming out with him for two-week stretch. Truth be told, I'm not looking forward to this: having a four-year-old who barely speaks English running around. I'll be locking my doors and leaving the house as often as possible...

I think I'd honestly prefer it more if it was just my sister coming out for two weeks. I'd like to see more of her without any leech-like attachment to her (a.k.a., the little guy), mostly because we haven't had the chance to reconnect with each other as adults. But, I've spoken to a friend of mine to see if she wouldn't mind looking after him for just one or two afternoons while we kidnap my sister for a day, so I'm hoping that works out.

But, that's in a few weeks -- more immediately, though, we've got the 4th of July coming up!

It's weird up here in Upstate New York. As opposed to the 4th of July, which is what everyone is SUPPOSED to celebrate, instead there's a lot of fuss over the 3RD of July. It seems to be a local tradition, since a lot of people head south to either the capitol in D.C. or to the city for the fireworks down there. But where we go on one of the lakes (can't remember the name, it starts with an O... ), we have this little spot right on the water to ourselves that's maybe one hundred or so yards away from where they launch the shells. It's so awesome to set up chairs with food, snacks, and drinks, and then wait until dark and then look up overhead to see the burst. It's just so cool!

That reminds me...I need to boil eggs early tomorrow for deviled eggs. What can I say? People ask for them...

On a slightly more somber note, though, the 3rd of July also marks one year since Nala's death -- and part of me can't believe that it's already been that long. It's kind of daunting, in a sense -- because I can still remember all that happened in the wee hours of that morning. I try not to think about it all that much, but every so often, my mind just kind of drifts...

Anyway, before I start getting too emotional, here, I have to get moving. I have a few things I want to get done before the end of tonight, and I'm SO FRIGGING CLOSE to wrapping up the hard part of the notes, it's unbelievable!

Plus, there's ice cream...and it's calling my name...

Until next!