Let’s Look

Hello and happy Wednesday!

First of all, July needs to slow its roll! How is it already the second Wednesday in July?!

I’m linking up with Shay and Erika for this month’s Let’s Look.

So far this year we’ve looked at…

• Things we outsource without regret in January…
• Ways we’ve turned into our parents in February (I missed out on the February post, but I’m sure I’ve turned into them in the best possible ways.)
• Favorite family vacations in March
• Hardest thing we’ve ever done in April (I didn’t have a post, but I’d say the hardest (but most rewarding) thing I’ve ever done is raise these kids of mine!
• Making couple friends in May
• What I’m making more time for in June (I missed this post, but in June I was probably making more time for getting my life together after the end of the school year…and rest!)

This month we’re looking at….our “summer selves” (how is it different?)

Well, “Summer Jen” isn’t too different than “Year Round Jen,” but being a teacher and having summers off does lend itself to me having some downtime which means life looks a little different.

1. No Alarms

The best thing about summer is not having to set an alarm. It’s not that I sleep in too late, but obviously it’s nice to not have to set an alarm at 5:50 AM. Most mornings, I’m up by 8:00. I’ve started most mornings by reading my Kindle rather than scrolling my phone.

During the school year, even on weekends, when I wake up, I get out of bed. This summer, I’ve made a point to lie in bed for a bit and read to start my day which has been so nice. There have even been a few mornings I’ve even fallen back to sleep.

While I don’t set 5:50 alarms right now, most mornings I have some kind of alarm set at 9:30 or 10 to wake the kids as one of them tends to have a scheduled workout most days a week.

2. Slow Mornings, Later Nights

As I’ve mentioned in the past, during the school year, I always get up before everyone else to have my quiet time before the day begins. One thing I love about summer is having slow mornings. I do try and have a plan for my day, but most mornings, I don’t have much planned until 10:00 or so. It’s nice to have time to sip my coffee, have a good breakfast, read, watch the Today Show and start chores around the house like the laundry.

In the summer, I don’t stay up too late. During the school year, I try to go to bed by 10 and asleep by 10:30. In the summer, I tend to stay up until 11…although it depends on the day! Travis and I usually watch a show or two at night, and then he reminds me he has to go to bed because he has to work the next day. Imagine having to worry about work the next day. haha!

Right now, we’ve been watching Lincoln Lawyer and Night Agent. It’s nice that we have a couple of shows that we watch together.

I also love a summer afternoon nap when I can. Is there anything better?!

3. To Do Lists

Well, you know I have a “to do” list year round, but I do tend to have a list of things to accomplish in the summer when I know I have more time to do so.

For example, this summer, I wanted to create my Amazon Storefront, and I did get that accomplished.

I also always take the time to clean out my closet and dresser as well as the hall and bathroom closets in the summer. I did that all last year, and it’s amazing how opening the door to a tidy closet has improved my mood. haha!

I also take the time to schedule appointments, clean up my Google drive, and even prep a bit for the upcoming school year.

Usually in the summer, we take the time to make a list of a few things we want to purchase or update in the house and try and prioritize those. This summer, we wanted to finally get new stools/chairs for our island, a new rug for under the kitchen table, paint my bathroom, and a few other odds and ends. In the past couple of weeks, we made progress on all of those things!

I almost bought a new rug over the weekend on Wayfair because they were having a 4th of July sale, but then I remembered that I’d saved this Walmart rug when someone shared it, and they had one in stock at one of our local Walmarts. Trav and I went and picked it up on Sunday, and we just put it down last night.

The rug we had under the table previously was one that Kristy Wicks shared, and it was from Home Depot. It was an indoor/outdoor rug, and I loved it. We had it for probably seven years, and just in the past few months it acquired a few stains (thanks to Homer) that we couldn’t get out). This “My Texas House” rug is a 10/10. It’s also indoor/outdoor, but the pattern is raised up and so soft.

The only thing missing is I’m still looking for a new rug for the living room. Honestly, this could also probably work in my living room. I’m so pleased with this purchase.

4. Pool Time

Of course with summer time comes pool time…and I always joke that I’m happier when I’m tan! I’ve had quite a few pool days this summer thanks to our pool and my sister-in-law’s mom’s pool.

When the kids were little, we used to spend hours at the pool.

One thing I do love now is I can kind of just come and go as I please. Sometimes I go to the pool for an hour and other days for longer. Of course, some days I stay home and am productive. haha

5. More TV Time

While I do have more time to read in the summer, I tend to also watch a lot (not too much!) of TV. It’s just a good time to get caught up on shows and watch some movies. This summer, I’ve gotten caught up on The Rookie, Abbott Elementary and a few other shows. I’ve also watched both seasons of Four Seasons, finished Love Story, watched two seasons of Lincoln Lawyer (with Trav), and I’m almost finished with season three of The Diplomat.

Soon, I want to watch The People You Meet on Vacation since I’ve finished the book. I also want to watch The Woman in Cabin 10 since I read that book years ago. I’m excited for The Five Star Weekend that will be out soon on Peacock…I loved that book.

6. Meal plan/grocery

Of course, my people still need to eat! But…I am more relaxed with meal planning and grocery shopping in the summer. I’m realizing that every week is different in regards to dinner because I never really know what the kids have going on. So, I just plan a couple meals knowing I can always go back to store if needed. During the school year, I feel like I have to maximize every minute of the weekend and have a solid plan. In the summer, I have more time to figure things out.

Also, Trav grills out a lot in the summer, so that means I don’t have to cook as much. I also love that seasonal fruit really counts as a side dish in the summer. There’s nothing better than some good watermelon on my plate!

I eat most lunches at home, and I usually eat leftovers or a “snack plate.”

The kids, on the other hand…are you even 16 if you don’t eat Chipolte or Chick-fil-A five times a week?! If that’s how they want to spend their money, that’s on them! I’m content with my snack plate!

7. Air dry & Minimal Makeup

In the summer, I rarely wear makeup unless we’re going out somewhere. I also rarely blow dry my hair. Not that I wear that much makeup during the school year, but in the summer, I usually wear mascara and maybe lip glass if I can find it. Usually, my hair is pulled back in a low bun or up in a claw clip and I like to wear hats in the summer, so that always gets me an extra day or two between hair washings.

This summer…

To be honest, this summer has been a bit different. I have found that I’ve had a bit more time on my hands, and I realized that it’s because I’m not driving the kids everywhere. They do that themselves. That being said, they still share a car, so sometimes, if they both have somewhere to be, sometimes I’m left without a car. I take that opportunity to do a work out, read, to be productive at home. The kids are still busy, and I still have things they need me for, but it’s just been different…and I’m not sure how I feel about it.

I hope you have a great day!