23 Jul Summer Bucket List

Happy Friday friends!

Today I thought I would talk about what I want to accomplish  this summer, and maybe what I have already! Do you have a summer bucket list of things you want to do?

First, I should thank Leslie, of Once Upon a Time Happily Ever After blog , for giving me the idea to write my own Summer Bucket List. Check hers out too!

Summer Bucket List

Reading- . I really love Kristin Hannah as a writer, and have learned I enjoy historical fiction. I have read, The Great Alone, The Two Winds and will be starting to read. The Nightingale, which had rave reviews.   I have also read a fun fiction book, by Joshilyn Jackson   titled, Never Have I Ever, based upon a game you might know.( but it is No game! )  It really picks up toward the middle of the book and I kept on reading. I have been enjoying getting lost in my books down by the pool this summer. Is anyone else like me, that you prefer a physical book over the Kindle? 🙂 I’d love to hear some of your favorite reads in the comments.

Doing things I have wanted to do, but couldn’t physically do them when my EDS was not under control. I chose to paddleboard on vacation as my friend has one, ( and we can go together), but also because I love the water and really wanted to try it. I didnt want to think.. I wish I would have done _________________.  I knew there may be some physical pain afterward, but I judged my desire for wanting to try this new sport and the fact that I may need a day to recover. I did try kayaking as it was also new to me, but it was much harder on my shoulders and upper body muscles. So, I tried it once, and realize, it may not work for me. The point is to challenge yourself sometimes!

Need new glasses-  I just can’t ignore the fact that I need progressives anymore! I went to look for a new pair and always gravitate toward the tortoiseshell. I wanted a squarer shape and have to get petite or small frames. I found a pair I love, you’ll have to wait to see what I picked! They also have Transitions will will be perfect for down here as we wear sunglasses much of the year.

Vacation! – After a year of Covid, I think we all needed an escape, a beautiful place to get away. We recently enjoyed a trip with family to Avalon, NJ. I love the older beach vibe and the small shops in town. I enjoyed just going in the ocean, boogie boarding and feeling the sun on my skin. Plus I got to wear my new bathing suits. I also got to see my niece and nephew. My 3 year old nephew is a ham, and I just love him, so fun to be around and so smart.  I need to use Facetime more often. If you missed my vacation posts read- Avalon Family Beach Trip, and Avalon Family Beach Trip part 2. 

 Gym/Workouts– I will be writing a post on my workout routine and equipment I use. I bought a treadmill a year before Covid and enjoy the home gym I have constructed. I will work out in the morning and am diligent about it. I can see improvements in strength and endurance. I will tell you I start my jogging with “Lose Yourself” by Eminem, and end it with “Gonna Fly Now” from Rocky!I also plan next week  to take a water aerobics class 2 times a week at the gym, for variety and because it always looked like great exercise.

Workout clothes- This summer I added these performance tanks and some Danskin leggings from Marshalls for an update on my workout wear. I do feel it helps motivate if you feel equally good in your gym clothes. I loved this All in Motion Supportive Sports Bra from Target and they come in many patterns and colors, not to mention they are comfortable.  I bought a second one in green camo.

Buy  a few Summer items on sale- I am really looking toward Fall about this time and what I might need in my closet, but it is time to take advantage of some summer sales. I have bought a few things from Mango on sale recently- this top, this light asymmetric teal sweater and these ankle length jeans. I also had been on the hunt for a lemon print dress after seeing the cutest one on Boden years back. This one from Chicwish is coming in the mail!

Wanted to try some “Old school”100% cotton jeans and these would show off sandals and boots nicely. 

 Meet with my new Dry Needling PT. – After seeing my PT Lisa, who performed dry needling on me for 8 years, every two weeks, she has mved to the mountains. I understood, but in that time, we have become friends. Lots of chats over anything! Politics, tv, news, family, you name it, so I miss her. She did refer me to another PT who studied in the same courses she did and I meet her today. This girl certainly needs treatment after the long car rides!

Try some new Charlotte restaurants. As you know as a reader of this blog, I love seafood. We had postponed our Anniversary dinner, as we ate out almost every day at the beach. The beginning of August we hope to try a relatively new place in town, Fin and Fino.

BTW, I think I forgot to tell you that they had people get out of the ocean due to a shark scare, and 5 minutes later it was a false alarm. I think maybe it was some PR generated for “Shark Week”, as a plane and signs flew overhead!

Start to plan toward the end of Summer, our 20th Anniversary trip to Italy in 2022. I am off several of my medications that I no longer have to worry about carrying to another country and will need to think of an itinerary. I should learn a few Italian phrases this year. … ( Is it wrong to learn some of my Italian from Louis Prima, one of my favorite singers?)

Do you have your own Summer Bucket List? Id love to hear some of the things on there in the comments. 

Bon Giorno!

Jess xx

Have a great weekend!