Summertime

It seems summertime is finally here with great temperatures and sunshine.  This past week has been notably good and we are all enjoying the pool.

The summer concert series has begun as well, a Wednesday night tradition that we all enjoy.  My symphony played in the one two weeks ago, then John & Dana Greiner's group played one week after that.  This week it's reggae, followed by John Altenburgh's group the next week.  Concerts in the Clouds have also begun and my symphony will be playing on Saturday, July 19th.  Looking forward to that.  

As of about a month ago, I officially became a full-fledged DePaul University student.  Did I mention that?  Looking to complete my degree with an emphasis in arts management.  Of course I had to accessorize.....and I am now the proud owner of a DePaul t-shirt, sweatshirt, hat and license plate frame.  (Dork.  I know.)  Classes are going well this summer and I am working at testing out of a few subject areas to accelerate the process.

Wednesday morning my friend Dana and I are going for massages at the spa - I can't wait.  Then vacation starts Sunday for a week.  Love my job - but I'm still counting the days and looking forward to a nice break with not a lot on my plate!

More kayaking.....

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Rowan was all smiles. Beth said he had great instincts - now he can't wait to learn more about the sport!

Devon in his gear

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Getting ready to hit the river!

Kayaking

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Originally uploaded by shereenflynn

My dear friend Beth Rypstadt was in town over the weekend for kayaking fun, and she kindly offered to show the kids the ropes. They had a great time - THANKS, BETH!!!!

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Chilling out at the 400 block watching Greiner and co. Its great!
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Bah! Humbug!

After just a year and a half, my MacBook bit the dust on Saturday.  One minute it was on and working fine.....the next, it was dead.  Fried motherboard.  WTF???  SO incredibly mad.  Took it to HappyMac (where, by the way, they are awesome) but got the bad news today that my problem would cost more than a new MacBook to fix.  Crazy!  All my papers, files.....gone.  So......after negotiating a decent trade for parts and getting a DePaul University discount, I came home with a brand new MacBook.  The new one isn't quite as nice as the old one, I'm afraid, but I'm on a budget - feel guilty enough as it is having to buy this one - but I would have spent the same on a new PC.....and I am in love with the macs.....so here we are.  I have never been so happy to have a Blackberry, though, because thanks to the synchronization software I was able to transfer all my iCal entries back onto my new Mac - and all my contacts, too - whew!  That saved a LOT of headaches.  And I was able to transfer my ipod stuff back to iTunes.

Students are also able to get a free ipod shuffle after rebate - so I'm going to get one for John.  He has a super old one and would enjoy a new one, so I'll be doing that for him soon.  

Gotta run.....programs to download......stuff to record!

Not FLIP Flops - FIT Flops

Today my new Fit Flops arrived. Incredible! My friend Dana told me about them - they're the flip flop "with the gym built in" - designed to give your calves a workout while you walk, ease back pain & fatigue, and mimic barefoot walking as much as possible. They're not the most GORGEOUS shoes I've ever owned - but one day in, and I'm sold. I bought the pink ones and after trying them have ordered the bronze. I walk barefoot all the time - in fact, if i didn't have to wear shoes, I never would. But of course, I can't walk barefoot all the time. :( Thought I'd give these a try, and I'm glad I did. Check out all the interesting benefits here.
At $49, it's definitely the most expensive flip flop I've ever owned. But I'm hoping it's also the best. Buy them online at Victoria's Secret, Bath & Bodyworks, and Macy's.

Coming of Age

At 12, Rowan is looking for ways to earn money this summer, so one of the things he wanted to learn to do was to cut the grass. It will be nice for John, too, not to have to do it all summer anymore, so we agreed it was time for him to learn. My brother has oodles of patience with this kind of thing (unlike me!) so today he's teaching Rowan the art of Lawn Mowing. I can't believe he's old enough to be doing this. And of course......I know there will come a time when he regrets learning how! :)