July Round-Up

I seriously forgot to get this done and I don't even have time for it now, but I dig it - and it's fun to look back at later! So here's the greatest hits for July:

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
Umm, I forget, not sure really ... duh! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows topped my reading list for the month of July. I did manage to read the first three (Sorcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets and Prisoner of Azkaban) and a bit of the fourth before the final book arrived, but I was unable to get through the entire series in time. I finished the Deathly Hallows late on Sunday 22nd - happy and sad.

As for other books, I started the Well of Lost Plots - the most recent in a great series of books by Jasper Fforde, and I picked up a bad mystery novel that I keep trying to read.

On the magazine front - again the usual suspects, EW, Real Simple, Creating Keepsakes, National Geographic - and one new one "Blue", a magazine on Michigan "lake style living".

What movies and/or TV shows did I watch this month?
As usually, not a lot of movies, just one REALLY IMPORTANT one, sad but true, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

On the TV side of things, well - it's summer, so it's mostly re-run city. However, the Closer and Burn Notice continue to deliver, I finished watching the new series Traveler and I started the new AMC series Mad Men (not sure how it's going to go - but so far so good). I did finally watch the final episode of Grey's Anatomy, it was good, but a bit sad but now we're on to the next season.

What special days did I celebrate and how?
July is actually a slow month for us - Summer is in full swing, so there's not much time for anything else - of course there was Independence Day and V's Birthday.

For the 4th we went to the Port Sanilac parade and then on to a picnic with D & S and their extended family. With the exception of idiots lighting off fireworks until the wee hours of the morning. V's birthday was interesting - a typical 11 year old's birthday party, but the "entertainment" was a reptile guy who brought over snakes, lizards a turtle and a couple of alligators (babies that is).

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
The only exchange of gifts was for us to give V the slinky dog that she has been bugging us for (for almost a year!) and a copy of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - she only had the first three.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
A slight case of stomach flu/food poisoning for me and the same heel problem for Scott (though we may have that on the run due to some advice from C's parents).

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
Well, it seems that I just have a lot of fun - yet another month of fun! We started off with a fun/drunken evening July 3rd wit J & M, then on to the picnic with D & S on the 4th. There was the R & D's annual Fourth of July weekend bash on the 7th. V's birthday was fun since there were more adults than kids - we waited for all the kids to go home and then it was on to the adult party.

Of course the big end of the month event was the Mackinac Race. Friday afternoon we took the boat out with J & M and the kids to look at all the boats coming into the harbor. Boat night was super fun - we went back and forth from the Vintage Tavern to the Yacht Club Party all night, a good time was had by all. Perhaps to good a time, since some of us were a bit hung-over to see our guys off for the race Saturday morning.

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
Hmm, not much. Summer is a slow time for cooking. I did make a new salad with roasted vegetables - pretty good. But still, not a big time for cooking!

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
Yet again, nothing off the charts in the way of spending - probably more scrapbooking stuff, but since we're trying to keep spending down to a dull roar I'm working on it!

What were this month's disappointments?
Again no more disappointments than usual - again no baby and no money, but that's not so bad is it?

What were my accomplishments this month?
I completed the WOMAN Challenge! The team didn't complete the challenge, but we did our best, and we all got out and exercised and that was the point.

Anything else noteworthy to record?
Nope - summer is about relaxing and having fun, so nope. Just reading, relaxing - summer!

Current Music: Come to Me - Koop