Happy 4th! Do you have any plans for the holiday weekend (or regular weekend if you aren’t American/ don’t get a day off work)? I actually have no idea what we’re doing for the 4th. Last year it was super hot and our friend Mary came over and we cooked all day in our air conditioned kitchen and occasionally stepped onto the terrace and sipped Pimms Cups. We were planning to do more of the same this year (along with Mary’s husband, Steve, who was out of town last year), but we haven’t solidified anything yet. Regardless, I will probably bake something — maybe some chocolate chip cookies and a key lime pie — and I have some skirt steak in the freezer I can defrost if we need it.
Saturday morning we are getting a zipcar and I’m driving us to New Jersey, which I’ve only done once (and not with Drew and Jackson), and I’m a wee bit nervous because I don’t like driving through Manhattan (or most of Brooklyn, for that matter). But almost two years ago my friend Taigi moved with her daughter (who’s Jackson’s age) to Montclair, a suburb in NJ where lots of Brooklynites move after they have kids, and I still have not been out to visit them even though she comes to Brooklyn all the time to see us. So I felt like it was time to do it, driving anxiety be damned. So, that’s what we’re doing Saturday. And Taigi has a YARD! as Jackson calls it — it’s never “yard,” for this urban toddler, it’s always YARD! — with one of those inflatable wading pools like my parents had when we visited last month, so it should be a good time.
The rest of the weekend will probably be usual weekend stuff: playgrounds and a farmers’ market and a train ride or two and maybe some running and biking. Last month I set a goal for myself to run 50 miles in 30 days, and I did it! It was fucking hard, but I did it. I’m so bored of running though now that this month I’ve made a biking goal. I dusted off my bike this week for the first time in a long time, and we’ll see how it goes.
Anyhoo, happy weekend to all!
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Morgan July 3, 2014, 4:26 pm
I have a great weekend planned! Tonight I’m going out with my bf and one of his friends for dinner at one of her favorite places in my new neighborhood. Then tomorrow we’re grilling out and watching fireworks and drinking and generally having fun. Saturday I’m celebrating my birthday with my parents by going to another restaurant recommended b the friend that has a menu I’m super excited for. Monday is my birthday so my bf is taking me out to dinner somewhere. And then he has off work Tuesday so whatever we do it’ll be nice having him home. And then Wednesday night we’re going out again for drinks. Which is a super busy, super fun bunch of days, but I spent almost 4 hours at the DMV today so I’m gonna go ahead and say I’ve earned it in a karmic sense.
Lianne July 3, 2014, 4:42 pm
Sounds like a glorious half-planned weekend. We need to start doing more half-planning versus the crazy super planned weekends we usually have.
My brother is visiting with his girlfriend from NYC. Last night we went to the Bruno Mars/Aloe Blacc concert, which was simply fantastic. Bruno is a phenomenal entertainer. I screamed and sang at the top of my lungs through the whole thing and now have a slight rasp to my voice 🙂 Tonight we’re going to go out for dinner and see some local fireworks and tomorrow we’re going to grill some rib-eyes since it will be a wash out with this tropical storm. Then on Saturday, we’re double booked with our nephew’s 1st birthday, followed by a family party on my side. My 96 year old grandmother is visiting from FL with some cousins, so that will be fun. Just wish it wasn’t all in one day! And Sunday I plan to just RELAX and plan my week of fitness and healthy eating. It’s time to get in wedding shape!!
Have a happy 4th all!!
Portia July 3, 2014, 5:04 pm
That sounds like a fun plan! As for myself, Bassanio’s out of town so I’ve got the whole weekend to myself. And that means time to paint! After a painful weekend of painting the living room together a few years ago, we decided that painting rooms was not going to be a joint activity. And since I’m the one who wants it (and kinda likes doing it), it’s on me. And I have to do it when he’s not around unless I want to hear complaints the whole time. So, it’s bedroom painting for me this weekend, cross your fingers it turns out well! I’m going with a dark blue.
Portia July 3, 2014, 5:05 pm
Also, Happy Fourth of July!
Portia July 6, 2014, 7:11 pm
Update: the bedroom came out fantastic, if I do say so myself! It ended up being a total of 12 hours of painting (it’s a big room) and totally worth the aches and pains. I also rearranged the furniture when I put it all back. Sent a picture to my style committee (aka my mom and sister) and they both loved it. So I’m feeling pretty good about my color choice…
LadyinPurpleNotRed July 3, 2014, 5:05 pm
My birthday is today so my boyfriend took today off…made me breakfast…hung out. I went to work for two hours. We walked and got ice cream. We borrowed a friend’s dog so I can have some dog time today. Going out to dinner tonight! Tomorrow will be a huge day. I’m helping hand out free flags for work (I work for a flag company) and otherwise enjoying all the shenanigans going on. This town loves to celebrate stuff! Other than that, not sure.
Happy 4th to all!
Dear Wendy July 3, 2014, 7:18 pm
Happy birthday!
LadyinPurpleNotRed July 3, 2014, 7:24 pm
Thank you!
Addie Pray July 6, 2014, 9:10 pm
oh happy birthday to you too!
LadyinPurpleNotRed July 6, 2014, 9:12 pm
Thanks, Addie!
Diablo July 3, 2014, 5:14 pm
Happy 4th, y’all! We had our Canada Day on Tuesday, so I’m just coming off a really long weekend. Hope you all still know how to party like it’s 1999!
MissDre July 4, 2014, 8:54 am
I’m surprised how many Canadians we have here! Saw another comment about Provinces and someone else mentioned getting the day off because they work for an American company. We are representing on DW! 🙂
Diablo July 4, 2014, 12:47 pm
Where are ya from, MissDre?
MissDre July 4, 2014, 6:36 pm
@Diablo, I’m Regina born, Ottawa raised 🙂 How bout you?
Diablo July 7, 2014, 10:53 am
Saskatoon!
jlyfsh July 3, 2014, 5:33 pm
I am so happy to have a long weekend. This week has sucked and it just ended with my Mom having to put our family dog to sleep. I was in middle school when we adopted him. I can’t even imagine going home and him not being there. I’m drinking wine now and looking forward to tomorrow being a new day.
Lyra July 4, 2014, 11:56 pm
So so so so sorry about your dog. 🙁 I went through that not even a month ago — same situation, we adopted her when I was in middle school — so I totally get how you’re feeling. Just take care of yourself. If you need to sit around and do nothing, sit around and do nothing. If you’re not yourself at work maybe tell someone what happened so they understand. I told my boss and he was very understanding about the whole thing because I wasn’t myself for about a week. How I handle grieving a pet is to rescue another one because there are so many who need good homes, but my parents are taking some time until they get another dog. My dad isn’t 100% sure if they’re actually going to get another dog but I think my mom wants one. If I could have a dog I would have one. It’s so freaking sad when they pass on but they become part of your family.
applescruffs July 3, 2014, 5:58 pm
I have the FLU. So I’m going to spend this weekend having the FLU. Who gets the flu in July? This is ridiculous.
snoopy128 July 5, 2014, 11:59 pm
i hope you feel better asap!
Lyra July 4, 2014, 12:33 am
I’m basically spending my weekend staining my uncle’s deck. But I’m getting paid so it’s worth it. My dad joined me tonight so it was cool to spend some one-on-one time with him. Navy Guy may come down too and I think we’ll find some fireworks with some of my friends. Yay long weekend!
snoopy128 July 4, 2014, 1:13 am
Driving the boyfriend off to his new province and new job tomorrow. Spending the weekend getting him settled, then flying home.
I’ve been fairly chill about the whole thing, but I’ve noticed in the last week I’ve been really grouchy and I think this is why. Part of me thinks I will be fine, but part of me also thinks the other part of me is being stupid and naive and that I’ve forgotten how lonely long distance can be. Especially since we are going from living together, to being a 12 hr drive/2 hr flight apart. 900 sq ft is a lot of space to be alone in.
Happy 4th of July to all you American friends!! Eat all things red, white, and blue all weekend (because that’s all that’s on my pinterest homepage right now).
Is it bad if I secretly hope all the drinking and friend/family time will start a rash of posters next week with lots of juicy drama to keep me distracted?
Lyra July 4, 2014, 10:05 am
Transitioning to a LDR must be so tough. 🙁 Is there a plan in place for you to live closer/together again any time soon? One of my friends is going through this right now too. She lives with her boyfriend right now and eventually they want to get married, but she just accepted a teaching job about a 20 hour drive away from him. And then he’s moving to a different state as well (next door to her new state thankfully) for grad school. I’m not sure when their end date will be, but it’s at least 2 years down the road and they’ve already been together for 2 years. We talked about it when I saw her last and she was saying how she’s not worried because she’s independent and so is he, but I think this transition will be hard on both of them. Good luck to you snoopy!
snoopy128 July 5, 2014, 11:57 pm
No solid plans, but I finish my program in 8 months and the idea is to be together where we can both have jobs. And since I will be the one looking, it will depend on whether the company he’s working for can transfer him. In the meantime we are hoping to visit each other a minimum of once a month.
I’m independent as well, but I’ve really enjoyed living with him and being partners. I feel like distance is a bit of a step back, but in reality it IS moving us forward in life (career wise and more into adult-hood).
mrmidtwenties July 4, 2014, 8:44 am
Happy 4th of July America, thanks for the day off for me, since I work for a very American company
Wendys Dad July 4, 2014, 10:15 am
Well, Wendy, you know what we’ll be doing today. Big family get-together. Since you won’t be there, we’ll talk about you. Enjoy your day. We will miss you.
d2 July 4, 2014, 2:07 pm
YARD. It’s interesting what different perspectives we all have.
I grew up with a back yard that was bordered by woods and streams that went on for miles. So being able to walk out the back door and go for a couple mile walk in nature is what home is “supposed” to be like. Next door neighbors? That would be two mother deer watching over their fawns chasing each other around in the back yard.
I now own a home in a residential neighborhood. The back yard has a short patch of woods and a wetland behind, but to me that still feels too urban. It’s close to work and convenient. If I wasn’t single, I would probably move to a more secluded rural area.
Living in a city would seem like purgatory to me. But other folks are just the opposite, thrive in city life, and would hate a rural environment. For others, the residential neighborhood is just right.
Mariana July 4, 2014, 2:37 pm
I can relate to the anxiety of driving through Manhattan! Never done it (yet have a car), dreading it and not planning on it in the near future 😉
I swear I would rather take subway to Penn and then train and beg for the friends to pick me up once I get off at my destination.
Dear Wendy July 4, 2014, 3:15 pm
…yeah, as the hours draw closer, I must admit, a two-hour commute on public transportation is starting to sound more and more appealing…
But this is as much about facing my fear as it is about transportation (well, more really), so I have to do it.
Lianne July 7, 2014, 10:03 am
How did the drive go, Wendy?
Fabelle July 4, 2014, 5:19 pm
MONTCLAIR. That’s not ~super~ close to me, but close enough (15 minutes from my alma mater?). Also, I was just there 2 weekends ago… a place called Cuban Pete’s? The food was not that great (I mean, it was, but not for me?? being a vegetarian…) but they were mad committed to the atmosphere. Like, when I looked out onto the alley, all I saw were palms. And it’s BYOB, but they serve all kinds of punch so you can bring, say, a bottle of rum & order whatever punch you want & then put the rum into the punch. So that’s awesome.
trixy minx July 4, 2014, 7:26 pm
Its my birthday!
Classic July 4, 2014, 11:48 pm
Happy birthday Trixy Minx! I will sing the whole happy birthday song! Happy birthday to you happy biirrthday tooo yoou Happy birthday dear Triiiiixy Haappy biirthday to yooou
d2 July 4, 2014, 11:53 pm
Yay Trixy Minx!
Addie Pray July 5, 2014, 7:15 am
Happy birthday trix!
Dear Wendy July 5, 2014, 6:29 am
Happy birthday, Trixy!
snoopy128 July 5, 2014, 11:58 pm
happy birthday! big plans? little plans? no plans?
Portia July 6, 2014, 6:46 pm
Happy Birthday!
Kat July 5, 2014, 5:35 am
Met with my friends I haven’t seen for a year (they were abroad): we had a blast, and I already miss them! It was an awesome day.
TECH July 6, 2014, 5:11 pm
How was everyone’s weekend? I got a sunburn on my feet and lower legs. I’ve got those lovely flip flop lines on my feet now. I usually try to be diligent about sunblock. I just didn’t think about my feet and lower leg. There are many times I am out in the sun and they don’t get burned. But not today. Doesn’t help that I’m paranoid about skin cancer.
Addie Pray July 6, 2014, 7:39 pm
Mine was good! I spent the last 4 days with half my family in Missouri – and came really close to having an impromptu DW meetup with Wendy’s Fam, sans Wendy. But it didn’t come together. I ate and drank too much, per usual, and I’ve got so many blisters/burns on my hand from freaking lighting sparklers and snakes – I shouldn’t be trusted to handle any fire. Let’s see, what else. I’m home now working, and I wish I could have JUST ONE MORE DAY before the workweek starts up again. Also, fucking diet starts tomorrow and this time I mean it.
Dear Wendy July 6, 2014, 8:16 pm
A DW meetup with my fam, what?
Addie Pray July 6, 2014, 8:47 pm
yup. on the 4th we all happened to be in st. charles, and on the 5th we all happened to have plans to go to meramec state park (but i ended up not going). it was (almost) fate.
Dear Wendy July 6, 2014, 9:00 pm
Cuh-razy.
Lyra July 7, 2014, 12:30 am
Ahhh the weekend was fantastic. I spent Thursday night, Friday, and Saturday staining a deck, but I got a good chunk of $$$ for it so that was productive. Last night Navy Guy and I went to his parents’ place and sat around a bonfire and made s’mores and drank beer/wine. Then today was a nice lazy Sunday. We woke up late, I read Harry Potter, he took a nap while I made lunch for us, he helped with dishes, and then we went for a hike around a local fort in our area. Afterward I reallllly wanted a malt because it’s actually July weather for the first time all summer so we went to a local malt shop and drank malts and ate fries. I felt like I should have worn a poodle skirt and horn rimmed glasses. In the process we were joking around and for whatever reason we started talking about his niece which led to us talking about both of our individual dreams for future kids. It was a great discussion and it also started the “are we still on the same page?” conversation, which we are! Yay! We talked about our dreams for the future, both individual and as a couple. We’re for sure taking a camping trip this summer and assuming we’re still together next year we talked about ideas for a longer vacation out of state. We took a weekend road trip to see my brother in May and that went really well.
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Then after malts and good chats we went to get groceries for my upcoming week and he bagged them and helped me lug them up the stairs to my apartment. I had to carry one bag but that was it. I could get used to this…
Diablo July 7, 2014, 10:52 am
It was a great summer weekend for us. Small get-together for a backyard fire at ours on Friday, large party for a friend’s birthday Saturday, and built a shed for my sweetie yesterday. The weather was incredible.
sobriquet July 7, 2014, 1:34 am
The 4th is my favorite holiday because 1) no pressure to do anything specific, 2) summertime, and 3) fireworks. We ended up playing it by ear this year and it was a lot of fun. We just hung out with my bestfriend and her boyfriend and swam in their 10 ft deep (!) pool and drank beer and spontaneously grilled and even though we planned on watching the big fireworks show, we ended up just walking around and watching the diy fireworks shows happening around East Austin. And we saw a falling star/meteorite while looking for random fireworks, so there’s that!
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Yesterday we rearranged our entire apartment on a whim and I love it. Last night I cooked a big fancy dinner (stuffed chicken roulades with a creamy wine sauce) and we cracked open champagne to celebrate our first night in our “new” place together. This morning I cooked German pancakes and drank mimosas and read and then cooked a lot more (whole wheat stuffed crust pizza with a yogurt based Alfredo sauce for lunch, tortilla chip encrusted tilapia with homemade salsa for dinner… yeah I was on a roll). We just watched “Noah” and that movie got boring/weird.
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All in all a very good weekend!