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No Book-Buy July

Inspired by a fellow blogger’s No Buy July post, I decided not to purchase any new books this month. As you know, it is difficult for me to refrain from supporting independent bookstores or downloading new titles from my ultra-convenient Audible and Kindle accounts. Right now, I have one Audible credit for July, and I’m not cashing it in until August. Is it killing me that it’s sitting out there, and I could have a new shiny book to listen to today? Well, yes. But I’m not giving in. I have shelf control.

I mean self-control.

So far, I’ve listened to one book I own — which turned out to be a 5-star read — and started a book on my Kindle that I purchased a long time ago. I’m also reading more New York Times articles and cleaning up my Kindle by catching up on the samples I’ve downloaded and never read. I deleted a few of them and put the two I liked on hold to buy later.

Here is the only downside. I haven’t stopped myself from making other random purchases this month. Just yesterday, I spotted a sterling silver bracelet featuring pressed flowers in a charming jewelry shop. I had no intention of buying anything for myself, but after I tried it on, I loved it. This sort of impulse buy would not have happened if I had made a recent trip to the bookstore. But since there was no chance of that, I decided to support a different kind of small business and bought the bracelet. While I had a little buyer’s remorse, I woke up this morning happy to see it sitting pretty on my wrist.

Of course, now I want a manicure, so this no-book-buy July might wind up being too dangerous for my pocketbook. But at least I won’t add any new books to my TBR tower. So, silver lining!

Water Baby

During the hot and humid days of summer, everyone wants to get in the water. Whether it’s swimming in the ocean or jumping off the diving board at the pool, the water is the place to cool off and have some fun.

But sadly, I am missing the water gene in my DNA. Ever since I was little, I have not been a fan of water. And I was born an Aquarius – a water sign! Regardless, I was a big baby about the water, and it took me forever to learn how to swim because I was afraid to put my face in or go under the water. I would cling to the wall during swimming lessons while others played games and raced to the other side of the pool.

Once I got over my initial fear, I figured out how to float, tread water, and swim enough to be able to save myself (G-d forbid). But I’ve never been comfortable in water that I can’t stand in. Case in point, when we took our kids to the water parks, you could always find me on the lazy rivers and log flumes but never on those massive water slides. That was Scott’s job.

At this point, you might be wondering how the heck I have a son who loves to swim, plays water polo, and works as a lifeguard?! Yeah, he didn’t get any of that from me. But because of my fears, I vowed my kids would be good swimmers. I threw them into swimming lessons, signed up for swim teams, and took them to the water parks. I didn’t want them to miss out on the fun like I did when I was younger. So, maybe I had something to do with Andrew swimming like a fish after all.

Last week, when our friends invited us out on their beautiful boat, I had some concerns, while Scott gave a resounding YES! I wish it were that easy for me. All week I was thinking about what might happen if something went wrong. What if we tipped over? What if I got seasick? What if everyone wanted to go in the water, and I’d look silly sitting on the boat in an orange lifejacket? But then I told myself to get over it. Most Saturdays, we are food shopping or running errands. This was the chance to have an adventure and do something fun.

I’m happy to say I found my sea legs pretty quickly and enjoyed myself today! We ate, drank, shopped, and laughed with our friends. Yes, the water was a little choppy in a few places, but I felt perfectly safe relaxing on the deck, checking out all of the cool boats and pretty houses, and being in the company of our good friends while exploring the Chesapeake Bay. I saw people on wave runners and all different kinds of boats. Some boats were anchored so that people could swim nearby. While you won’t catch me jumping off the back of a boat, I’d definitely go for another ride again and soon.

Fangirls

I sent my sister this photo of me enjoying my latest lifesaving gadget – a personal neck fan. OMG! Where has this thing been all of my life?! Or at least, where has it been in the last year or so? I didn’t know that I needed it as much as I did. These hot and humid days of summer are killing me! I can’t walk my dog around the block without turning into a puddle of sweat. And while the awning over my patio provides a lot of shade, it’s still hot as hell outside. Reading, walking, and living is much better with this fan.

Do I look like an old woman with a futuristic horseshoe-shaped thing around my neck? You bet!

Do I care? Nope! My personal neck fan is cool (pun intended)!

Ask anyone. Well, maybe ask anyone my age.

Back to my sister, we were having a heated discussion about the strict rules our husbands have regarding the thermostat. I had no idea we married people with such fanaticism about air conditioning. I told her about the fan, and she immediately asked me for the link. She ordered it and chose priority overnight shipping. She doesn’t mess around. Now, we don’t have to fight about the thermostat anymore because we are FANGIRLS!

We are so happy right now. I’ve already used it while walking Chloe; it makes a big difference. I plan to bring it everywhere, from the shore to the swim club, and definitely on vacation later this summer. Karen has already said she wants to buy it in different colors. She has a birthday coming up. Maybe I’ll get her a black one so she can accessorize properly. As you can see from these pictures, she is the fashionista of the two of us. 🙂

We are clearly big fans of the fan. Here is the link. Please enjoy!

XO,

Elisa (and Karen)

P.S. I promise you we get no kickbacks from anyone who purchases it.

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