Happy first day of August! Or, as it’s known here in New York: Happy YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS GOING TO SMELL LIKE HOT GARBAGE FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS DAY, cheers! Seriously, if you’ve never had the pleasure of visiting New York City in August, let me assure you: it stinks. My friend and I were waiting for the bus the other morning to take our boys to a newish sprinkler park and, my God, the stench wafting down the block was so unbearable I wanted to barf. Between that and the epic tantrum Jackson threw because we were taking the bus to get to the sprinkler park instead of the Q train — life is so unfair — I was ready to pack up and move to the mountains of Montana. I bet it doesn’t smell like hot garbage there.
Anyway, hot garbage aside, I do like summer and it’s always a little bittersweet when August rolls around and the dog days start dwindling, although September, and fall in general, brings so many wonderful things (the return of pumpkin-spiced everything! cute jackets! apple cider! my birthday! AND THE FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL) that how can I get too sad? Still, we have about a month left of summer and I want to make the most of it (another trip or two to the beach! hot dogs! Coney Island! prosecco on the terrace at sunset!). What about you? What are your plans for the remainder of summer?
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ktfran August 1, 2014, 4:19 pm
Despite having dined at Next last night (I have never experience a “foodie” dinner and it was AMAZING), I was super sad earlier. The woman who hired me, served as a mentor, and taught me so much about my job and the kind of worker I want to be, was laid off this morning. Some days, I hate working for a publicly traded company who only worries about the bottom line. Wendy’s good HuffPo news cheered me up a bit. But what really cheered me up is that out of the blue, two of my close friends who moved to California – they don’t know one another – texted me just to say hi and that they missed me. One wrote “I just want to hug and squeeze you right now.” The other wrote “I’m drunk at DFW having and miss you.” I love that in my adult life, I’ve been able to cultivate such amazing friends. That’s really all I wanted to share for the weekend.
Dear Wendy August 1, 2014, 4:30 pm
I feel that way about my friendships too – they are among my biggest sources of joy, for sure!
Sorry about your mentor though. That blows.
ktfran August 1, 2014, 4:54 pm
Thanks! Have a lovely weekend, despite the smell!
honeybeenicki August 1, 2014, 4:20 pm
The end of July/beginning of August is usually when the festival concerts start rolling in around here. Unfortunately, our favorite yearly event was cancelled this year 🙁 But! Tomorrow is my birthday, so I usually just go ahead and celebrate an entire birthday month 🙂
Lianne August 1, 2014, 4:59 pm
Happy birthday!!
Dear Wendy August 1, 2014, 4:29 pm
Happy birthday!!
honeybeenicki August 1, 2014, 4:42 pm
Thank you 🙂 My husband has been giving me one gift a day for the past 4 days. All books 🙂
ktfran August 1, 2014, 5:36 pm
Happy birthday to you!
jlyfsh August 1, 2014, 4:24 pm
The only thing I really miss about summer is the long days. I want fall with days where sunset is after 8 pm. September is the best time here at the beach. The weather is still perfect, the water is still warm but the tourists are gone. I can’t wait.
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And ahh first day of preschool! My friend’s kids are getting so big, it’s crazy. Time just goes by too fast.
Dear Wendy August 1, 2014, 4:33 pm
It’s really more pre- pre-school (just two short mornings a week), but I’ll take it! With Jackson not napping anymore, I have lost over 10 hours (or roughly half) of my weekly work hours, so I’ll be really glad to have some of that time back again when he’s in school.
And September is such a good time to go to the beach!
freckles August 2, 2014, 12:21 pm
I started (pre) pre school when I was 2, and I’m glad I did. I’m an only child, and I think it helped me to learn to socialize and play nicely with other kids, and share. I hope he likes school!
Dear Wendy August 2, 2014, 12:45 pm
Thanks, I hope so too. Jackson’s had play groups since he was a baby, so he’s pretty well socialized already, but I’m hoping the structure of school and having to share an adult with a few other kids will be good practice following rules. Plus, he’ll be in a spanish immersion program, so he’ll hopefully learn a little spanish along the way too.
Portia August 2, 2014, 2:22 pm
As someone who was in full day programs from 2 years on, I can also say these can be great for kids. I met my oldest friend this way (and we’re still close and family friends 26 years later).
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Also, Spanish immersion is a fantastic idea! They had a Spanish class for us, but I think back then the thinking was more that a second language gets in the way of child language development rather than help and I barely know any Spanish now. All the research points to kids with more language exposure early on doing better (at least in some areas) and it does not interfere with primary language development nor confuse kids. Code switching is evidence that they have control of more than one language, not confusion. You probably already know some or all of this, but I’ve spoken to so many parents and parents-to-be who don’t and it can get a little frustrating…
Dear Wendy August 2, 2014, 3:19 pm
I just regret that I never learned a foreign language — even more than regret, I’m really embarrassed about it since I actually grew up in foreign countries until I started college — and I wanted jackson to have the opportunity to learn another language early, especially since he seems to interested in language so far.
JK August 2, 2014, 5:32 pm
It is amazing how quickly kids pick up languages! My 3 y.o is a really slow (lazy) talker, she started kindy this year at a bilingual school, for now with 2 afternoons a week all in english, and she is already using some phrases and singing some songs, it´s adorable!
Jackson is going to loooove preschool! My daughter had started gong all morning and the 2 mandatory afternoons, but she loved it so much now she´s there everyday from 8 to 4 pm, and she can´t get enough!
Dear Wendy August 2, 2014, 6:56 pm
That’s great!
Here in NYC, kids are eligible for public (free) pre-k in the year they turn 4, so that will be next fall for Jackson. Whether he gets a spot in the pre-k program is yet to be seen (it’s a lottery system since there aren’t enough spaces for the amount of kids). If he gets in, it will be 8-3 (I think) every day. I’m excited about that and also the free part because right now all the profit I make from DW goes toward childcare.
JK August 2, 2014, 7:04 pm
That´s awesome! You don´t even want to know how much I´m paying for school each month (6 year old is in the same school, 1st grade), but it is sooooo worth it! They are both learning so much, building great groups of friends, and none of the drama I had with the old kindy. Unfortunately where I live the public school system is overcrowded, and subject to teacher strikes all the time, it sucks.
And those kid free hours are great to get stuff done!!!
freckles August 3, 2014, 10:56 pm
Oh wow I’m jealous. Like you, I wish I were bilingual. I dabble in Rosetta Stone here and there (I have access to it for free through work, so I didn’t waste my money or anything), but never long enough to actually learn much. Learning at a young age will be great! Although, if he gets into the city’s preK, I assume that won’t be Spanish language immersion? Are there programs you can put kids in that continue that education? Cause if you don’t use it, you lose it! It might also be fun to take a Spanish class, or try to learn Spanish yourself (or you and Drew) and then you and Jackson can all practice together!
Dear Wendy August 3, 2014, 11:02 pm
Our neighborhood public elementary school actually has a dual language (spanish and english) program, so it’s possible — if he wanted to continue and he got in the program — he could continue studying Spanish once he got into public pre-k and beyond. I’m going to try to learn at least a little spanish along with jackson (we’ve been watching youtube videos and practicing the alphabet, numbers, and a few words together so far).
Addie Pray August 1, 2014, 4:51 pm
Saturday begins 3 weeks straight of people. A friend is coming for a week with her son, then half my family will be here for a week, then IT’S VACATION TIME (week at the lake with MY ENTIRE family). I. Am. So. Excited. About. My. Family. Vacation. So excited I can’t think of anything else.
ktfran August 1, 2014, 4:58 pm
My next three weeks are jam packed too. Tomorrow, the parents are coming in. The next weekend I have a wedding, cubs game and baptism. The middle of the third one of the friends mentioned above is coming in town and then I’m headed home for the niece’s birthday and one of my sis’s wedding showers. Craziness.
MaterialsGirl August 1, 2014, 5:22 pm
you’re going to have so much fun at the lakehouse!!
Lianne August 1, 2014, 5:04 pm
August kicked off great! My brother proposed to his girlfriend this afternoon! I am sooo excited for them. The ring is gorgeous, he got someone to photograph the moment, AND her dad flew in to surprise her. I am so so excited for them – it makes me wish I could get engaged again!! Also, it’s 3 months to the day we got engaged. Fun, fun all around.
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We have a crazy busy weekend. We’re house-hunting AND going wedding band shopping AND going to the Sox/Yankees game at Fenway. We were excited about the game until it was scheduled for Sunday Night Baseball – which means 8 PM game and a late night 🙁 I hate not getting a good night’s sleep on Sunday’s. But, we will try our best to not think of how bleary eyed we will be on Monday and enjoy the night with my dad and stepmom.
Lianne August 1, 2014, 5:06 pm
Oh, and we’re going to visit my cousin in the hospital which is the sad part, but it will be good for the family, I am sure. Latest on him for those who read my forum post is that he has no brain damage, thank GOD, and right now is paralyzed from the upper chest down. But with time and care that could change. He also had a feeding tube put in today and his temp is low, but I guess that is not uncommon with this type of trauma.
Addie Pray August 1, 2014, 5:19 pm
I’m really really sorry to hear about this. It’s so sad how quickly life can change.
Lianne August 1, 2014, 5:29 pm
Thanks, Addie.
Dear Wendy August 1, 2014, 5:59 pm
Sending continued good thoughts to your cousin, Lianne!
Lianne August 5, 2014, 11:41 am
Thanks, Wendy!
veritek33 August 1, 2014, 5:29 pm
I’m seeing the Sox on Tuesday night in STL! Hopefully we both get to see a win!
Lianne August 5, 2014, 11:41 am
Nope! Better luck to you tonight 🙂
call-me-hobo August 1, 2014, 6:10 pm
Tomorrow I’m going to do the photos at a friend’s wedding as a favor to them- their photographer ghosted them after they paid the deposit. SO is so excited; he considers this our trial run to see if we could open our own business.
Guys, I only have a little over a month before my own wedding. It’s coming down to the wire and there is so much to doooooooo.
Dear Wendy August 1, 2014, 6:12 pm
1. Yes, you should start your own business! You are talented.
2. When is your wedding? Labor Day weekend? So exciting!
LadyinPurpleNotRed August 1, 2014, 6:22 pm
I second Wendy! And yay wedding!!
Addie Pray August 1, 2014, 6:24 pm
What LadyinPurpleNotRed said!
call-me-hobo August 1, 2014, 11:35 pm
September 20th. It’s creeping up!
Lyra August 1, 2014, 6:52 pm
That garbage thing sounds disgusting! That’s a big reason why I’m a country girl at heart. Helllloooooo open air and space! 🙂
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I’m getting ready to head up to Navy Guy’s for the weekend. Tonight we’re drunk baking a cake because it was his birthday this past week and I owe him cake. I’m ready for wine and cake and patios and movies and relaxation. Tomorrow we’re going to a play that my friend is directing so I’m excited for that. We’re catching her for drinks afterward too. I think we may be going to a really popular rose garden too? And I want to go shooting again soon, so we’ll see what happens. 🙂
scattol August 2, 2014, 1:00 pm
Hey, what happend with the thumbs?
Dear Wendy August 2, 2014, 1:17 pm
There was a lot of drama with people overusing the thumbs down, so I’m hiring a tech guru on Monday to work her magic and get rid of the thumbs down but keep the thumbs up.
Pamplemousse Rose August 2, 2014, 2:11 pm
I just spent 5 days in the mountains of Montana, and I can assure you that it does not smell like hot garbage at all. It was warm, relaxing and lovely!
sobriquet August 2, 2014, 2:20 pm
Yesterday was the second anniversary of the day my husband and I met. We celebrated by grabbing coffee at the coffee shop we met at (an annual tradition) and spending the afternoon at his old apartment complex pool (we spent many, many hours there getting to know each other in the first few weeks). It was a good, nostalgic day all around! This summer is tripping me out all around. It is 82 degrees outside… which puts it roughly 20 degrees cooler than a typical August day in Austin. What do we do when it’s so mild outside?! We plan on tubing the river tomorrow, but the river will be too cold if the weather stays like this.
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I have really big news regarding my infamous SIL, but I feel like I need an deleted thread to share it. This is life-altering stuff. She has been horrible to me, with the worst of it coming earlier this spring a couple months before my wedding. Despite how close our husband’s are (brothers, best friends, business partners), she has made it clear to us that she has no desire to resolve (or even ATTEMPT to resolve) our differences. But now her bitchiness and awful behavior and flippancy about it kind of makes sense. Ahh I need a deleted thread!
Addie Pray August 2, 2014, 3:03 pm
Get this girl a deleted thread!! So we can hear the details!
Dear Wendy August 2, 2014, 3:20 pm
Hmm.. we may need to have a deleted thread soon.
Lyra August 2, 2014, 6:01 pm
I’m chuckling to myself at 82 degrees being too mild and the river being too cold. It’s all relative! 🙂
d2 August 2, 2014, 10:59 pm
Haha, I was thinking the same thing! 82 degrees F for a high is about as hot as I want to see for a summer day!
Red_Lady August 3, 2014, 9:26 am
Same! We’ve set a record in the Seattle area for most consecutive 80*+ days lately, and it’s been kind of miserable. I’m only working half time, but when I’m home during the day, I’m pretty much just camped out in my basement, where it’s nice and cool. Of course, being 7 months pregnant probably doesn’t help things 🙂
But today I’m leaving for a week of camping on the OR coast, where it’s supposed to be mid-70s all week! Perfection!
Lyra August 3, 2014, 10:59 am
You’re a woman after my own heart, Red_Lady. Mid 70’s are perfect. 🙂
barleystonks August 3, 2014, 4:03 pm
Oh, it IS a record, good! I’d hate to think that me being this miserable was because I have suddenly turned into even more of a wimp about heat than usual.