Dear Readers,
I’ve done some fun stuff lately. Lest you think I don’t have a life anymore due to job hunting and crying and re-budgeting and talking about my sexy hair, I thought I should write it up for you. Following is my new list of things for you to consider doing:
Rock Island Playdate – When your friends ask you to drive 2 hours to the coolest place in the world for a day of relaxation and fun, you go. Do not think twice about it. Pack up a cooler full of lunch, get some water, throw a towel in the car and take off. Probably you should spend some real money on proper water shoes and also probably you should dress for hiking as well as floating (can anyone say “upper body support, i.e. bra instead of swimsuit”?) but even if you don’t, you will have the time of your life. Take lots of pictures so that you can show off to all your friends. Post them on your blog. Isn’t that waterfall nice? It was gorgeous!
Not pictured? The poison ivy I sat in . . . .
Gavin DeGraw – I, too, wish I could explain it.
Kayaking – I’ve waited my whole life to do this but I guess I didn’t know it. I’d been saying I was going to go for months and last Tuesday was the first time I got to keep my promise. I put on the ill-fitting life jacket (can anyone say “Stay Puft Marshmallow Man”?) and perched my poison ivy covered butt in that kayak. After I ran into a couple of docked boats and a couple of my friends, I got the hang of things. Now while most of you probably prefer the straight line method of kayaking in which you go from point A to point B in a linear manner, you need to understand that I prefer the Charlie Brown sweater pattern method of kayaking. I like to zig and then zag and take far longer than anyone else to reach the destination. It’s a much better shoulder workout, see. Lynnette will be proud.
Maxi Dresses – go to Old Navy and get yourself one and wear it to visit Poppa. After he asks you why you wore your nightgown to visit him, you’ll throw it in the trash. (Can anyone say, “You look pregnant in that dress?”)
Urban Hike – for a few months I’ve been participating in something called an Urban Hike. It’s a long walk through downtown Nashville in which we visit historic sites and landmarks particular to Nashville. We also climb 248 stairs, ring the Liberty Bell and sweat like warthogs but it’s really quite rewarding. What I don’t recommend, though, is missing a couple of weeks of the walk, especially when some key elements of the walk are changed (i.e. changing the route from five miles to six) and then not bringing water to the new and improved six mile walk when the temperatures have just peaked at the all-time high of 109 degrees. Also not recommended is yapping excessively about how fantastic this walk really is to two men who have unreciprocated interest in you. When you make it sound like the most incredible of hikes, do not be surprised when both of those men show up (uninvited by you) on the SAME NIGHT to walk with you. (“Can anyone say, “Awkward”?)
Cakes from Freddie – This here is the cake Freddie made for my birthday. It was delicious! Because she makes such delicious cakes, she has started a little side business called World Piece Cakes. Isn’t that cute? Check it out here.
Planning stuff with Woney – I always like to end these Highly Recommend posts with something about Woney. Have you noticed that? Anyway, Woney has been working out with Tony now for a year. Lemme tell you, she looks FIERCE! That guy knows his stuff. (Can anyone say “This is hard” and “I’m tired”? Cause Woney can’t. Tony won’t let her anymore.) He got her started on some new cardio routines too, and she’s running a lot now, much like I used to. (le Sigh, but I’m getting there!) We talked for months about doing the 5K Color Run in Nashville and then somehow missed the deadline to enter which, with both of us being blondes and having lives, I don’t understand. Anyway, we talked about it, got excited about it, missed the deadline and then gave up on it altogether. Instead, she is coming to visit me *just because* in November. Also, we are going to Ireland in a year or so to celebrate her birthday and now will begin ramping up those conversations and planning discussions. It’s just too exciting!
So now, in conclusion,
The end.
Love, Jimmie 