Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Sweet, Sweet Summertime

Happy First-Day-of-Summer!!

I must say, this past weekend really put me in a summery mood.

First of all, my mom (and several of her Stanton Road neighbours) held a yard sale, which started on Friday and ran right through to late Saturday afternoon. It brought me back to summer days as a kid, when Mom would make us root through our closets and toy shelves, to collect enough stuff to have a yard sale.

Looking back, it was probably just a way to keep us busy for a few days while off school for the summer. But I was never big on yard sales. "Look! Isn't this fun?! We're going to give away all your stuff, for next-to-nothing, and then you won't have any toys or games or clothes left! Wheeeee!!"

That's right. I did not enjoy giving away my stuff.

And still don't. Several times over the past couple of weeks, Mom has asked me, "Do you have anything you want to sell at my yard sale? Maybe some of your CDs or DVDs or books?"

NO NO NO. I am NOT giving away my STUFF!!!

And apparently, the same applies to my grandma's stuff.

As you may have read about here, I already received quite a few treasures from my grandma's house. We were all given first choice at Grandma's belongings after she passed away, and the stuff leftover was going to the yard sale. And yet, still I found myself perusing the tables, picking things up, and saying, "Well, you can't sell this. I'll take it." So I ended up with more Tupperware containers that I don't have room for, a few more Christmas decorations that I don't have room for, and a 1000-piece puzzle that I somehow missed the first time around, because I need it to complete a task for my 101 List. (...which I don't have room for.)

I had to keep biting my tongue when a man tried to swing a deal for the few teacups that were left. I felt a little sad when another gentleman came and bought her church anniversary plates. And I shuddered to think of anyone walking away with some of her nice blouses that she always wore. (Thankfully, no one did - at least not when I was there.)

So no. I don't like selling my stuff. OR Grandma's.

But the yard sale in general? Mom called it a success, and it was a fun way to kick off the summer.

Another awesome way to welcome the warm summer sun? My friend Lindsay's annual pool party! The weather was perfect on Saturday for floating in the pool, or relaxing in a lawn chair with a caesar in hand.

I had one of the scariest moments of my life that afternoon, though. You know how I've been whining and complaining about my allergies for weeks on end?

(Yes. I know. You're sick of hearing about it. So am I.)

Well, anyways, Lindsay puts on a pretty good spread at this party. A big long table of fruits and veggies and chips and breads and dips, pinwheels and salsa, bacon cheeseburgers, hot dogs, cookies and cupcakes. Basically, a fat girl's paradise.

And just after Ryan announced that the food was out, and a few of us went swarming in to feast, MY STUPID ALLERGIC HEAD GOT ALL CLOGGED UP AND I COULDN'T TASTE ANYTHING.

Do you realize the severity of this statement? Pretty much worst-case scenario. I thought I was going to cry.

I kept jamming chips and chunks of pumpernickel loaded with spinach dip in my mouth, declaring, wild-eyed and panicky, to all around me, "Nope. I can't taste it. I can't taste anything. Not even the SALSA! Nothing!!"

A nightmare.

So, instead of retreating back to my lawn chair in utter defeat, I remained behind the food table, going back and forth, shoving food in my mouth while snuffling back the allergies, hoping to clear my head and get my taste buds back. Doesn't that paint a delicious picture? Wouldn't you have wanted to be heading down that food line, filling your plate, while this big, panicking girl is going back and forth, ramming food in her face, snuffling and snorting, mumbling, "Nope, I still can't taste it. Maybe I'll try the honey dew again..."

YUM. or not.

It was a glorious moment when it finally worked and I could taste again.

But by then, I was too full to even enjoy my burger or continue snacking. *sigh*

Still...it was a wonderful day spent with great friends and some of the cutest kids in the world.

And then Father's Day, of course, which brought more of the same - lounging on my parents' patio, soaking up the sun, and then enjoying shish-kebabs off the BBQ, baked potatoes, caesar salad, garlic bread, and strawberry shortcake. All to celebrate my dad, who hates celebrating anything, and even got a nasty twist on his face when we gave him our cards.

Some things will never change.

But at least that day, I could taste.

10 comments:

Stacy said...

You didn't mention your winning the longest putt!

Amber said...

Aw lol - that IS sad. When I'm stuffed up like that the only thing I want is chicken noodle soup. Luckily...I haven't been stuffed up like that in years *knock on wood*

Sounds like you've had a busy couple of days, I love picnics, BBQs and garage sales. Although I'm with you on the selling stuff thing - I hate parting with my stuff, but then again...I don't have much to part with either sooooo...(or maybe I do an I'm in denial??), hah!

Jill said...

See? So traumatized by not being able to taste that I forgot I won the longest drive contest! haha!

Kara said...

I still can't belive that you're upset that we sold your hat with the bird ornament on it - it was so hideous you wouldn't even have it in your house!!! Yes, I know it was a gift, but unless you planned to wear it to Lindsay's next pool party - I think it was time for it to have a happier home.

Jill said...

I did not give permission to sell that hat. UNCLE REID GAVE ME THAT HAT. How would you feel if we sold one of your kids?

mom said...

I think you had better race home tonight and start cleaning out those boxes of paper in the room in the basement before I get going. I am about to get started one of these days!!!!

Nicole said...

So you know how your taste is also connected to your smell? Well did you know that when you reach around 30 you are at your heightened peek of smell. And then as you get older it gets worse. And they actually said if you are one of the unlucky few you can lose your smell altogether. And don't ask me why I decided to share this with you know... I guess it just popped into my head with you talking about taste :)

I know lots of useless trivia... sorry!

Jill said...

OH GREAT now my mom is crashing my blog and threatening to throw out my Wade Redden treasures. Just GREAT!! ;)

Janette @ The Johanson Journey said...

heh.. I had a moment like that when Domino's pizza declared they had a new recipe and I wanted to try it so bad.. ya know a new pizza recipe by a favorite delivery pizza place is a HUGE thing.. j/k... anyway, we got it-- I could barely smell it but was excited-- it looked good... took a bite... nothing.
I might as well have been eating a layer of poop b/c even that wouldn't have conjured up my taste buds.. they were dead. I was so upset I spent the money on this darn pizza and have no idea if the new recipe was good or not-- haven't ordered from them since.. oh well.. hope you feel better soon..

Stacie said...

Whatever you do, no matter how high it gets, don't go mowing your grass until you feel better!